862.20210/2142
The Argentine Embassy to the Department of State
Reference is made to the memorandum handed to the Argentine Ambassador by the Undersecretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, on November 4, 1942.
Apprised of the text of the said memorandum, the Argentine Government has instructed the Argentine Ambassador in Washington to formulate the following considerations to the Department of State:
In conformance with the assurances given at the proper time to Ambassador Armour by the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and to which reference was made subsequently in paragraph 3 of the memorandum of October 10, 1942, the information handed on November 3rd by Ambassador Armour specifying for the first time the facts pointed out by the Undersecretary of State in his Boston address, was passed immediately to the Police authorities, who some hours later initiated the necessary investigations. Ambassador Armour is aware of this, as well as of the first impressions derived from these steps.
As expressed to Ambassador Armour when acknowledging receipt of his memorandum, on which occasion the assurances mentioned above were reiterated, the Argentine Government deems highly advisable that the information furnished to them be maintained and closely examined in strict confidence as being conducive to the objectives in view.
The Argentine Government holds that this is essential to the aims of the investigations and that these aims, both in view of their importance and significance as regards the security of the Continent and of the country itself, should prevail over the reasons adduced to circulate and publish a memorandum the diligent consideration of which by the Argentine Government has not been delayed a single moment.
On completion of the investigations already commenced, the Argentine Government would consider the publication, in mutual agreement, of the results thereof, results which may necessitate the adoption of the measures and the enforcement of the penalties deemed fitting.
The success of the proceedings undertaken as a result of the information just furnished to the Argentine Government interests, as [Page 245] already stated, not the Continent alone but specially Argentina by reason of its own security.
In these circumstances, any premature publicity might bring about results concerning which the Argentine Government deems it a duty to state that it declines all responsibility.