800.8830/1382: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:27 p.m.]
240. For Duggan.36 In my recent cables I have emphasized the difficult problem faced by friendly newspapers by reason of lack of shipping space for newsprint. Unfortunately it does not appear that any of the shipments mentioned in Department’s 54, January 13, 4 p.m.37 are scheduled for Argentina. Neither could the total mentioned 4,500 tons, do much to alleviate the situation as Argentina normally imports over 125,000 tons annually. I understand that the Argentine Government has been asked to assign space on its vessels and that the Acting President38 has agreed in principle. There have also been rumors to the effect that the Government might consider assigning an entire ship to newsprint and some publishers fear that should such a decision be taken, it might mean the allocation by the Government here of this newsprint or some other equally effective government control, making it more difficult for those publications critical of administration policy to obtain paper. Consequently, I feel it essential that our Government make possible sufficient space on American ships to assure, first, immediate delivery of paper now on docks in New York to replenish stocks now almost exhausted for such papers as La Prensa, La Nación, Noiicias Gráficas, La Razón, El Día, Buenos Aires Herald, et cetera, and second, to provide a program for the future whereby deliveries of minimum needs can be made as secure as is practicable. Likewise, it is hoped that our export control will be so exercised as to provide that this paper will continue to be shipped to the ultimate consignee and not to any central organization which might be empowered to make the distribution here. The Central Bank might be construed as having that authority now. (See Embassy’s report 790, dated January 22, 1942.)37 As long as shipments are made to consignee only, a [Page 401] complete control can be exercised both to the end that prodemocratic press may be assured of stocks sufficient to continue publication and that none reach the hands of firms or publications on the Proclaimed List.
I should appreciate being informed of any decisions taken so that we may be in a position to answer numerous inquiries which we are receiving, especially as regards La Prensa, which seems particularly pressing.