710 Consultation 3 A/644: Telegram
The Ambassador in Ecuador (Scotten) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 23—1 a.m.]
174. Department’s 131, February 17 [18], midnight [8 p.m.].83 Situation in Ecuador is substantially same as reported in Embassy’s despatch 550, October 883 although problem was alleviated by deportations in December and January. Principal present needs appear to be deportation of several remaining Axis leaders (which will be difficult if not impossible at this time because of political factors); tightening of immigration, passport and alien registration control (Embassy believes Ecuador does not have organization and personnel to make these effective); and blocking of Axis funds in possession of Spanish Legation (which will be requested of Foreign Office as soon as Ecuadoran officials being repatriated leave Lisbon). Aside from deportations very effective informal cooperation of carabineros and similarly effective work of blocked properties control Ecuador has done virtually nothing to implement recommendations by visiting delegation of Montevideo Emergency Advisory Committee.84
Remaining known Axis leaders are being carefully watched and are probably not causing difficulties now although they represent [Page 1080] potential danger. It is possible Axis has one or more unknown active agents in this country and our agents with active cooperation of carabineros are constantly searching for such individuals. I believe these efforts are far more effective than any advantages that might be derived from formal reformation of government immigration passport or registration measures, which at best could probably be eluded by enemy agents. It would be highly desirable if two additional carabinero instructors whose assignment here has been under consideration by Federal Bureau of Investigation could be furnished at early date.
In case of political trouble here, which seems possible, remaining Axis nationals and sympathizers would be expected to support any movement against our war effort or United States interests, but such disturbances would probably be due to purely internal factors and not to Axis influences.