862.20225/715: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 9—5:28 a.m.]
1662. Yesterday the Minister of the Interior announced with great publicity the discovery of a Nazi spy ring which was directing and working with Lun[ing]43 in Cuba and engaged in maritime espionage, using a fishing fleet operating in Chilean waters. He announced the expulsion of three German citizens Kleiber, President of the Banco Germánico and prominent in Santiago, and Ludwig Russbenzinger and Guillermo Dorbachbunge, the latter “engaged in fishing business” in San Antonio. The Government announcement states that the information was sent to Cuba over “a short wave station” avoiding direct mention of Trans-radio Chilena. A Chilean, Carlos Robinson, was detained temporarily but it is understood cannot be sentenced since Chilean legislation punishes only espionage against Chile and not espionage activities directed against other nations.
Referring to the Foreign Minister’s request for legal action against Subercaseaux, journalist, for having allegedly made “false” statements regarding Nazi activity in Chile and false accusations of Chilean governmental complacency with regard to such activities, the Communist Siglo accused Barros Jarpa of having protected the spy ring during the recent 8 day period in which he held the portfolio of the Interior during the absence of the Minister. Barros Jarpa today issued another declaration asserting that the more important information regarding the discovery of a spy ring was brought to the attention of the Government “after my stay in that Ministry”. Questioned by the press as to whether in view of the exposure of Nazi activities the Government case against Subercaseaux would be dropped Barros Jarpa is quoted as saying that “any rumor of the withdrawal of the Government charges is unfounded since the matter of the arrest of spies was entirely separate from the former dispute”, adding that Subercaseaux had made assertions which referred to activities of officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and it was in this particular the charges were made. He added however “I have nothing more to do with this case which is in the hands of the judges”.
- German spy in Cuba.↩