810.74/625: Telegram

The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State

2384. Embassy’s telegram No. 2362, November 24, 9 p.m. I have been working closely with British Embassy to persuade Government to put through the original decree on telecommunications which would prohibit transmission of cipher messages by radio outside of the continent including messages by diplomatic missions. The real value of [Page 175] the decree would, in fact, be that it would prevent transmission of such messages by Axis missions here.

I am now informed that in conversation yesterday with Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs the Counselor or [of] the British Embassy was informed that as now framed decree would not deny to Embassies the use of radio for cipher messages. It seems quite evident that this change has been due to pressure from Axis missions. Gache indicated that final decision was in hands of the President alone and agreed to facilitate interview for British Ambassador with him in last minute effort to obtain publication of decree as originally drafted.

Armour