325.1121 Bethune, Larry K./7: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile ( Culbertson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
23. Reference my telegram No. 22, March 19, 4 p.m. Nacion, Government-owned, quoted editorial from Prensa, Buenos Aires, and gives substance of editorial from Comercio do, Lima, criticizing diplomatic intervention in case of General Motors.
Bethune was not only released but Court of Appeals on a petition in the nature of habeas corpus released his bond. Chilean company has appealed from this decision to Supreme Court. By this action court has recognized justice of Embassy’s protest against illegal arrest. Responsible lawyers state that no possible ground existed under Chilean law for the detention of Bethune.
Court has decided to appoint a reviewing judge who will take criminal case out of the hands of the Judge of First Instance. Thus the higher court has repudiated the action of the lower judge to which I made objection.
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