740.34112A/8–644: Airgram
The Chargé in Paraguay (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 12—8 a.m.]
A–285. Referring pending question relative to listing of Colegio Alemán, last referred to in Embassy’s Airgram No. 280, July 29, 9:00 a.m., 1944, following developments are reported.
Minister of Education advises that matter was discussed in the Council of Ministers yesterday, and that conclusion was reached that any action on his part must be subject to a directive, presumably emanating from the Ministry of Foreign Relations. He suggested that this Embassy document the case before that Ministry. It was explained that such procedure could hardly be followed since entire matter was one pertaining to inclusion on a List not recognized by his Government; that the matter had been discussed informally with the Foreign Office with the view to cooperating the best way possible with Paraguay. It was also pointed out that the Paraguayan Ministry of Interior was [Page 1501] completely informed about Colegio Alemán and Asociación Alemán de Ayuda Social.
As a consequence, the Commercial Attaché again discussed the matter informally with the Under-Secretary of Foreign Relations who has verbally advised the Embassy that the case will be taken up tomorrow, on August 5, in the Paraguayan Consultative Committee for Political Defense, of which he is chairman, and that this Committee would recommend to the proper Ministry of the Government, presumably the Ministry of Interior, that it direct the Ministry of Education to take action. This action is tentatively understood to be effective intervention and the removal from the Colegio of all individuals and elements considered objectionable. The Embassy is of the opinion that if effective steps in this direction are taken, no listing will be required. The matter will be followed closely and promptly reported for Department’s consideration.