835.00/1501: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:50 a.m.]
1260. In reply to your question this morning regarding public reaction to present Government it is a fact that general sentiment in this country is opposed to military government of dictatorship. The difficulties which Uriburu15 met with increasingly until he called elections late in 1931 are evidence of this feeling. In present instance the public will react favorably only if convinced that the military phase is temporary and that the Government intends to return the country to a constitutional regime.
The Radical group which was in contact with Ramírez before the revolution (telegram 1144 of June 1, 3 p.m.) and which represents a good majority since it comprises several factions is not yet clear as to Ramírez’s future plans. According to one of the leading Radicals in contact with him past assurances they have received make them hopeful that he will before long call the country to general elections. The alternative is a military dictatorship of at least several years [Page 374] duration. The Radicals expect before the end of the week to ascertain Ramírez’s position. At the same time they admit they must prove to him their responsibility and solidarity as a party holding out to him the attractive prospect of making him their candidate which in free elections would almost certainly result in his being President with the backing of a large part of the country. If negotiations result favorably to them they will probably issue another manifesto supporting the Ramírez government. If such a declaration from the Radical Party should precede our recognition this would undoubtedly be preferable but this may require some days. On the other hand certain of my colleagues notably of the neighboring countries are insistent that recognition should be as soon as possible. Their argument is that the Supreme Court has given its official recognition; that we have received informal but they consider satisfactory assurances from Ramírez and Storni that he intends in due time to break relations; and delay in recognition will work in favor of our enemies who are already attempting to create difficulties by spreading rumors to effect that Brazil and Paraguay are mobilizing on their frontiers and showing an unfriendly attitude to the Provisional Government. These rumors have been officially denied by the Brazilian and Paraguayan Ambassadors. The Government’s notification of its constitution has been received. The American Chiefs of mission will hold a full meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m.
I shall then know the sentiments of my colleagues. I should like the opinion to prevail that we should not be precipitate and I very much hope that they can be persuaded individually to withhold recognition at least until the end of the week or Friday morning at the earliest. In 1930 the first recognition came 7 days after the revolution and although conditions are never the same, twice, a delay, of at the most 3 or 4 days should not be considered an unfriendly attitude by the Provisional Government. However, should the sentiment be as I think it may be in favor of immediate recognition with the threat of individual initiative by several of the neighboring countries then in the interests of American solidarity I think we should be best advised to agree. A number of the small countries will undoubtedly follow our lead (two at least have already received instructions to do so). And if we appear instrumental in having them withhold recognition while others grant it we should get off to a bad start, with the Government. However, after conversation this morning with the above-mentioned Radical I have the impression that his group feels that the withholding of recognition by all American nations for a short time may incline Ramírez to be fully cooperative with them. This [Page 375] frankly would have the beneficial result of making the President’s position more solid among Liberal elements among whom are many friends of the United States and of leading to an early return of the country to a constitutional regime.
With regard to foreign policy our informant of this morning feels Ramírez is bent on the fullest collaboration with the United States a position he has reflected to the Radicals since the beginning. This, however, he does not feel will be immediate in view of division in the army on the subject.
- José Evaristo Uriburu, President of Argentina from September 8, 1930, to February 20, 1932.↩