862.20210/2061: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 23—9:38 p.m.]
2356. Embassy’s 2339, November 21, 5 p.m. Minister of the Interior yesterday loaned Embassy copy of police report regarding results up to November 20 of its investigations based on our third memoranda. Practically nothing of value is contained in this 35 page report. As examples it is mentioned that report completely “whitewashes” Thilo Martens and Frederick von Schulz-Hausmann, two of the persons against whom we had large amount of evidence. It appears that the report completely ignored information contained in our third memorandum which gave detailed confessions of two Nazi agents in Brazil who had liaison locally with Martens. Report does mention that Schneider, Müller and Freiwald may be to some extent involved and that they are being held for additional questioning.
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Schneider, Müller, Schwartz, Freiwald and Hoffmann are still under arrest. Others released except Napp who was delivered to local police only yesterday. Complete report by next courier.
Minister of the Interior informed me November 21 he intended publishing above report either November 23 or November 24. However Napp’s confession appears to have completely upset Government’s [Page 254] plans, since Minister, when informed by member of Embassy staff yesterday that report of local police extremely disappointing, agreed and stated it would be wise to postpone publication few more days until Napp’s surprising confession could be incorporated into the report.
It is believed Argentine Government may have had intention of a permanent first report to show lack of Axis espionage activities and discredit our memoranda, but that unexpected action of provincial police in obtaining confession from Napp called for reorientation of policy.