811.34544/110
The Chargé in Argentina (Tuck) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 24.]
Sir: I have the honor, with reference to despatches no. 1196 of September 5, and no. 1221 of September 10, 194047 regarding the acquisition by the United States of the right to lease certain naval and air bases, to report that the timely statements given out to the press in Washington emphasizing that the facilities of the new bases will be made available to all the American republics appeared in all the leading newspapers and unquestionably had a good effect, as did also the prompt and vigorous denial by Secretary Hull of the propaganda story emanating from Rome to the effect that the United States would [Page 508] seek permission to establish a base in the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands.
It is believed that the statements referred to have gone far to prevent the successful exploitation in Argentina of ingenious propaganda designed to interpret the acquisition of bases as another step in American imperial designs toward the Latin countries. The subsidized pro-totalitarian propaganda sheets continue their accusations, but there is little if any response in the independent press.
Respectfully yours,
- Neither printed.↩