835.24/195: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:45 p.m.]
1161. Referring to Embassy’s telegram 949, September 11, 7 p.m.;18 and Department’s telegram 701, September 26, 5 p.m., regarding Argentine Military Naval Mission to the United States, the Minister [Page 329] for Foreign Affairs has informed me that a very important and far reaching plan of defense for Argentina has been drawn up and will be considered at the next Cabinet meeting on October 22. He explained confidentially that the plan concentrates largely on naval defense, 80% being devoted to this aspect and not more than 20% to the military aspect. It covers the whole of Argentina’s coast line from Uruguay to Cape Horn and envisages difficult position with Chile in the Straits and Brazil to the north. If the plan is approved by the Government, they hope that Admiral Stark19 and the high staff officers of our Navy and Army will be willing to discuss it with the Mission which will go up, and offer any suggestions regarding it. It will be on the basis of this plan that their purchasing program will be drawn up.
The Minister is still unable to give me the names of the officers who will be chosen although the names of Rear Admiral Sabá Sueyro and General Lapiz are still mentioned to head the Mission.