833.24/1122: Airgram
The Ambassador in Uruguay (Dawson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 1—4 p.m.]
A–178. I desire to refer to Embassy’s despatch no. 4082 of March 20, 1944,50 concerning distribution of newsprint in Uruguay and particularly to last two paragraphs.
I feel strongly that it would be greatly to our interest to relieve Embassy of all participation in and responsibility for distribution of newsprint. In my opinion, the most satisfactory arrangement would be that previously recommended by the Embassy (and again recommended in despatch no. 4082) under which all newsprint would be consigned to the Bank of the Republic and the Country Agency (Office of Export and Import Control) would be solely responsible for distribution. I consider distinctly less advisable the alternative arrangement suggested in penultimate paragraph of despatch no. 4082 under which Canadian Legation in Buenos Aires would direct distribution.
Unfortunately the Department’s efforts and those of the Embassy to help the local press in the matter of newsprint have not brought us the good will we were entitled to expect. Our experience thus far shows clearly that most newspapers are only too prone to forget the assistance we render and to hold us responsible when things go wrong. I heartily concur in the opinion of the Commercial Attaché that under any arrangement providing for the Embassy’s intervention in any way in distribution, the newsprint problem will continue to be a source of constant difficulty adversely affecting our general position here.
In this connection I should add that there is evident a growing tendency in commercial and other circles to accuse the United States of undue interference not only in Uruguay’s economy but also in other aspects of Uruguayan life. In order to counteract this situation which is of course being exploited by our enemies, our intervention in matters affecting Uruguayan economy should be reduced to a minimum wherever this can be done consistently with the war effort.
To sum up: For reasons of general policy and because of the specific situation as respects newsprint I believe it extremely desirable that the Embassy be relieved of all participation as respects distribution and that the entire responsibility be lodged with the Country Agency at the earliest possible moment. I trust the Department will give the matter its urgent consideration.
- Not printed.↩