800.20225/157
Memorandum by Mr. Archibald E. Gray of the Division of the American Republics30
[Washington,] February 19, 1943.
Measures Taken by the Chilean Government in Connection With the Severance of Diplomatic Relations With the Axis Powers
Despatch no. 5654 of February 3,31 drafted by First Secretary Brooks, gives a complete resume of measures taken by the Chilean Government in connection with the severance of diplomatic relations with the Axis powers. These include:
- (1)
- Despatch of Investigaciones agents to points of entry to and departure from Chile to prevent transit of dangerous persons.
- (2)
- Suspension of transmission of communications with Axis and Axis-controlled territory.
- (3)
- Prohibition of use of codes and ciphers in international communications (except by the diplomatic missions of friendly powers) and establishment of a censorship on international telegraph, radio telegraph, telephone and radio telephone messages. In practice, business firms may send messages in recognized commercial codes, after censorship, to American and British destinations.
- (3)
- [sic] Concentrating dangerous Axis nationals at specific places of residence.
- (4)
- Cancellation of permits held by Axis news agencies and nationals to transmit information abroad or in Chile. This measure did not prohibit TO32 and Stefani from receiving messages from abroad on their own radio receivers.
- (5)
- Decree requiring news despatches from a news agency of which the local director is non-Chilean, to be countersigned by a Chilean employee.
- (6)
- Cancellation of permits to Axis nationals to carry firearms.
- (7)
- Decree providing that it is an offense against the State to make plans, drawings and surveys, or to take photographs of vital installations in Emergency Zones without prior authorization.
- (8)
- Closing the German Club in Santiago.
- (9)
- Detention of Japanese Minister and staff incommunicado in the Legation residence.
- (10)
- Unofficial censorship of international mail, as a result of confidential instructions from President Ríos. No direct, formal action relative to censorship of international postal communications has been taken by the Chilean authorities. The opinion is expressed that it will be difficult to establish effective censorship because of the relative ease with which communications can be smuggled over Chile’s extended frontier.
- (11)
- “El Supplemento del Diario Alemán”, pro-Axis propaganda sheet disappeared as a result of the inclusion of its editor in the list of dangerous individuals. Another pro-Axis sheet was discontinued undoubtedly due to lack of funds.
- (12)
- Other protective measures, some of which pre-dated rupture, included establishment of Emergency Zones; surveillance of possible sabotage agents; and strengthening of police and military guards to give additional protection to copper properties, airports and other vital installations.