740.0011 European War 1939/27401: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:48 p.m.]
149. For Under Secretary. Saw Fernández this morning and told him reason for delay in President’s reply19 under pledge of absolute secrecy to be known solely to him and President Ríos. The latter left for Vina del Mar this morning because of son’s illness leaving instructions that anything from Roosevelt be sent him at once. Thus explanation given was all the more necessary.
He said that the necessary steps are being taken to implement the agreements after the rupture. Chile is asking Switzerland to take over Chilean interests on [in] Axis countries and if refused, Sweden will be asked. Yesterday Spanish Ambassador told him he had not received instructions from his Government but German Ambassador had said that naturally he assumed Spain would take over.
He said Fresco, the Argentine Fascist, now here has been under closest observation of Secret Service and that he attended a dinner of 20 including von Marees, the crazy leader of the Nazi party, and that not only were the speeches taken down but a photograph was taken. Fresco was given 24 hours to leave the country. He protested his inability to get reservation before Monday and Government promised to secure the reservation. It did appeal to us and we got the reservation for today. But Argentine Ambassador made an appeal on ground Fresco a very prominent Argentinian who had come here with a letter from Castillo20 and begged he be permitted to stay until Monday and not openly expelled. Out of deference to Ambassador this agreed to with notice to Fresco should he see anyone [he?] would be taken up.
This section sent to Buenos Aires.
[Page 805]German press appeared yesterday and misrepresented President’s speech and I discussed this [apparent omission] with Fernández who was surprised and promised to take it up with Morales at once.
Important—he said that since we are now all together it would be greatly appreciated and helpful were the Government permitted to have a representative on the secret committee passing on the Black List21 so if at any time Chilean economy is threatened in any proposed case it can be discussed. Since the vote in the contested case would be 2 to 1, the British and American on one side, and especially since instructions received sometime ago said that in the event of rupture this would be considered, would like instructions as soon as possible.