740.00111 A.R.–Subs/26: Telegram
The Chargé in Argentina (Tuck) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:20 p.m.]
383. Department’s 102, June 11, 6 p.m., and Embassy’s despatch No. 750 of June 7. I was informed by the British Ambassador today that during the very recent visit to Buenos Aires of the H.M.S. Hawkins he invited to dinner on August 26 Admiral Harwood and Foreign Minister Cantilo. The Admiral talked straight from the shoulder to Cantilo as to the possible consequences of the failure of [Page 787] the Argentine Government not [sic] to take steps to exclude belligerent submarines from its ports and territorial waters. Harwood said that the Admiralty knew that some German submarines were in the western Atlantic and expressed the opinion that if they were to sink any of the specially constructed British meat ships off the River Plate, his Government might find it necessary to purchase supplies, particularly meat, elsewhere.
Cantilo was apparently impressed and promised to look into the matter more. He evidently was as good as his word for the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Gache, informed me at lunch today that the question of Argentina’s position in this matter had been referred to the Ministry of Marine for consideration.