Office of the Historian

835.00/2430: Telegram

The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State

Buenos Aires, February 28, 1944—6 p.m.
[Received 8:36 p.m.]

570. Espil71 tells me Escobar72 telegraphed that in his last talk with the Acting Secretary,73 latter received him as Dr. Escobar not as Ambassador and explained our Government’s position as one of examining events of Thursday night fully before reaching any decision as to what our attitude is to be towards new regime. Espil added that Ibarra García74 and other higher officials of Foreign Office had a long talk this morning with Mason attempting to make clear to him seriousness of situation, the possibilities raised by recognition problem, necessity of Government’s taking prompt action against Axis agents and press, et cetera. Mason who appeared genuinely surprised by these unenvisaged complications for the new regime went at once to Farrell. Latter reassured him: Said this was all untrue or exaggerated.

Meanwhile Espil has postponed his departure for Rio until Friday at earliest. He pointed out to Foreign Office possible incident with Brazilian Government if he arrived and if Vargas75 decided not to receive him or a long interval elapsed.

It occurs to me this might be a good opportunity for Aranha76 to call in Migone77 and suggest as friendly gesture that Espil delay his arrival until situation has cleared. Also it might smoke out Aranha as to what his position is to be. I am afraid he may use excuse of Farrell’s honeyed words to Alves78 and Mason’s declaration this afternoon to act hastily. Also I have not forgotten Aranha’s remark to Caffery79 last June that he would be glad to recognize 20 Argentine Governments. Certain of my colleagues share my opinion that Alves’ visit to Farrell last Saturday revives unpleasant memories of Brazil’s bolt last June.80

Cuban and Dominican Ministers have already received instructions to follow our lead and I have informed them confidentially of procedure our Government proposes to follow and my instructions meanwhile to avoid any contacts with new regime that might prejudice our position. I propose to make known our position to other colleagues as [Page 257] I see them. We are avoiding full meetings of the Corps for obvious reasons. Uruguayan Ambassador decided not to visit Ramírez and the Nuncio81 is to see him this afternoon. Nevertheless, I hope to persuade the Peruvian who is a close personal friend of Ramírez also to see him and ascertain the truth.

Repeated to Rio.

Armour
  1. Felipe Espil, appointed Argentine Ambassador to Brazil.↩
  2. Adrian C. Escobar, Argentine Ambassador in the United States.↩
  3. Edward R. Stettinius, Jr.↩
  4. Under Secretary in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.↩
  5. Getulio Vargas, President of Brazil.↩
  6. Oswaldo Aranha, Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩
  7. Raúl Migone, Argentine Chargé in Brazil.↩
  8. José de Paula Rodrígues Alves, Brazilian Ambassador in Argentina.↩
  9. Jefferson Caffery, American Ambassador in Brazil.↩
  10. For the Ambassador’s report on Brazil’s decision to recognize the Ramírez government, see telegram 1269, June 9, 1943, 6 p.m., Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. v, p. 376.↩
  11. Giuseppe Fietta.↩