File No. 862.85/392
The Ambassador in Argentina ( Stimson) to the Secretary of State
[Telegram]
Buenos Aires,
April 20, 1918, 1 p.m.
[Received 3.17 p.m.]
[Received 3.17 p.m.]
Your April 13, 5 p.m.
- (1)
- The usual routes for the Argentine national transports, other than those in the coasting trade, have been Boston, Norfolk, or other United States ports and Porto Rico or some other West Indies port.
- (2)
- No Argentine national transports are navigating the war zone.
- (3)
- These transports, originally meant for army transports, still have appliances therefor, but since the war they have been used by the Argentine Government for voyages to the United States carrying the products of the country and returning with the necessities of Argentina. They fly the Argentine naval flag.
- (4)
- I have addressed a note to the Minister of Foreign Affairs asking for an explanation of his words on this subject, quoted by the Department, but have so far had no reply.
- (5)
- I have also addressed a note to the Minister on these matters connected with the Bahia Blanca purchase, but have had no answer. I do not find that the purchase is limited in any way, and the profits are to go to the Argentine Government. The newspapers state today that the flag on the Bahia Blanca was [lowered?] and the Government then took possession. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has requested of the British Minister permission to pay the money, said to be 2,500,000 pesos gold, in London for transfer to Stockholm.
Stimson