800.8830/1968: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Armour)
1674. Embassy’s 2188, November 5, 1942, 9 p.m.73 Department’s 1609, October 26, 194273 stated that the Flota is discriminating against certain papers by refusing to carry newsprint and gave as an example the refusal of the Flota to carry 350 tons of newsprint on the Rio Corrientes which sailed November 8. Since then, the Flota has refused to carry an additional amount of newsprint for La Nación, It was also pointed out to the Embassy that on October 1, there were 7,453 tons of newsprint certified by the Board of Economic Warfare to the War Shipping Administration as eligible for shipment. This newsprint was consigned to papers selected in accordance with Embassy’s recommendation 1684, September 2.73 On October 28, Board of Economic Warfare approved over 8,000 tons of newsprint in accordance with Embassy’s 1684. This large amount was approved to make up for possible unshipped or unmanufactured paper from previous months. [Page 422] Of the total amount, El Mundo and Editorial Haynes had 900 tons approved and Crítica had 1,245 tons approved. All newsprint applications in excess of 8,000 tons have been held up as there is no reason to approve newsprint that would exceed available shipping tonnage to any great extent. It is suggested that the Embassy immediately bring to the attention of the appropriate Argentine Government officials the condition existing with respect to the discrimination by the Flota, The Embassy should point out to the complaining papers that newsprint is being equitably made available for export in so far as United States Government agencies are concerned. The Department now awaits the result of the Embassy’s investigation as to why the Argentine Government is permitting the Flota to discriminate against certain newspapers.