862.20225/770: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:15 p.m.]
2194. For Under Secretary. Your 1659, November 5, 5 p.m. My first impression is that November 12th would be too early a date for publication and suggest at least another week. As reported in my 2189, November 5, 10 p.m., authorities here acted promptly and made several arrests and raids, but the sincerity, extent, and effectiveness of their further action remains to be seen. Minister of Interior outlined to me yesterday steps he has taken, stated that incriminating documents were seized in connection with arrests made, and promised to keep Embassy informed of developments of investigation. In view of this I should like to have more time to gauge how far Government really proposes to go in arresting, confining, or expelling Axis agents and putting into effect measures to stop communications with Axis countries and further to implement other Rio commitments. In my opinion Argentine public reaction in general would be favorable [Page 241] to publication, particularly if full opportunity had been given authorities to act on information conveyed in our memorandum. Premature publication might be interpreted even by our friends here as indicating we were more interested in showing up Government than in having Axis agents apprehended and activities stopped.
Virtually all influential papers would probably receive such disclosures enthusiastically although under state of siege they might not be able to give full expression to their feelings.