800.8830/1754: Airgram
The Chargé in Argentina (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 18—12:30 p.m.]
A–68. Local newsprint importers have reported to the Embassy that there is discrimination in the United States against shipments of newsprint to Argentina. One local importer received a letter from the law firm Wilkie, Owen, Otis, Farr & Gallagher, 15 Broad Street, New York, which stated in part:
“The problem of newsprint cargo has now been placed under the control of a central commission and the policy has been decided upon with regard to South American shipments. The Board of Economic Warfare and the War Shipping Administration are allotting so much tonnage for each country, according to Mr. (the name was cut out by the censor). The commission, in the case of unfriendly countries, is using its discretion as to newsprint cargo which shall be allotted.”
The Embassy believes that the intimation that Argentina will be discriminated against in the shipments of newsprint is fallacious and that Mr. Wilkie has been misinformed, since the press, which is 95% pro-Ally, is one of the greatest supporters of the Allied cause in Argentina.
The fact that such information is presumably given out to persons outside the Government, is in itself dangerous. The reports invariably reach interested parties here who use the information against the United States. The Embassy would appreciate receiving confirmation that there will be no discrimination in shipments of newsprint [Page 409] to the friendly press in Argentina in order to combat the aforementioned rumor.