835.00 Revolutions/2: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Bliss) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8—6:08 a.m.]
124. The text of the proclamation issued yesterday by the Provisional Government as well as the names of its personnel having been transmitted by press agencies I shall only forward them by pouch.
The overthrow of the Irigoyen Government yesterday which I reported by phone to the Department was accomplished expeditiously amid great public enthusiasm. At about 5 p.m. the white flag was hoisted at Government House and about an hour later General [Page 380] Uriburu cut off from his troops by the rejoicing civilians was triumphantly brought there by the populace, the Vice President at once signing his resignation as Acting President. The Cabinet officers who had already deserted their posts are at liberty.
Asylum had been asked for Irigoyen of the Chilean Ambassador and was accorded though not availed of, Irigoyen fleeing to La Plata where he surrendered himself to the military and resigned. He has not been held under restraint and is as free as his enfeebled physical condition permits.
Despite the change of government being effected by the Military, no resistance was offered though a certain number of civilians and soldiers have been killed and wounded by random machine gun firing from Irigoyenist houses. Except for the regrettable though understandable destruction of the personal effects of Irigoyen Oyhan [Irigoyen Oyhanarte?], several of their intimates and the office of the two personalista newspapers, no cases of vandalism have been reported. This is a credit to the Argentine populace as well as to military discipline and Uriburu is much gratified at having consummated his coup without serious bloodshed.
Immediately after assuming control the military junta issued a warning against excesses, dissolved Congress, and in Government proclamation stating that the Provisional Government would remain in power only until elections could be held, Government members pledging [pledged?] themselves neither to present nor accept their candidacy to the Presidency of the nation. The Uruguayan Ambassador tells me that he called informally this morning on Uriburu who said one of his principal concerns was how foreign countries would envisage his act and the attitude they would assume toward the new Government, for which reason he had selected Bosch as Minister of Foreign Affairs feeling sure a man of his high standing would produce a favorable effect abroad. [Paraphrase.] At the request of Bosch, who desires to talk with me before receiving the other foreign representatives, I am meeting him tomorrow morning at the residence of Adolfo Bioy, the new Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs. I shall then make the suggestion, as my personal opinion, that, in the official notification to the Chiefs of Missions of the establishment of a Provisional Government, he should not include a request for recognition. Recognition by the Government of the United States, however, would give not only great satisfaction to the new Government and its many adherents but would also help our situation in Argentina. I believe that the Provisional Government will be able to maintain itself in power until it has realized its declared purpose of holding, at the earliest possible date, elections for national Senators and Deputies and for President and Vice President. The preparation of the necessary machinery toward this [Page 381] end in the capital and provinces will require a considerable time. The Provisional Government is comprised of honest patriots, the Minister of the Interior and head of Cabinet being especially competent. All of them are Conservatives and represent the political minority of recent years. Nevertheless, the venality and blatant abuses of the Irigoyen Government have aroused such widespread indignation that it has been possible for Conservatives to overthrow it with the genuine approval of the majority of the population.
While following closely the developments of the next few days I recommend that the Government of the United States be ready to recognize this Provisional Government at an early date, and as soon as, if not before, any other important power. [End paraphrase.]