Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

835.00/2498: Telegram

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

Buenos Aires , March 3, 1944.
[Received March 3—5:57 p.m.]

630. The Acting President gave an interview last night to the Associated Press, the principal points of which are as follows:

There is no reason for Argentine foreign policy to change. Farrell is only momentarily in the Presidency where he fulfills a duty which logically devolves upon a Vice President when an Acting President delegates the mandate. Such an act is very simple and gives no cause for prejudging intentions. Farrell’s intention is to continue the Government’s work, building and not destroying. Regarding foreign policy, the Government believes it has honestly fulfilled all its obligations thus honoring the brilliant Argentine tradition. Argentina has collaborated and will continue to collaborate with America and nothing will prevent it from fulfilling its elementary duty of solidarity with all the countries of the continent.

Internal policy and not external factors or inadmissible concepts should be the basis of the country’s foreign policy. The June revolution⁸⁹ has profound social implications and the Government is trying to constitute a new Argentina and a new national consciousness. The country is now entering the constructive stage and is on the path of normality. The men in the government are only there momentarily and none of them wishes to remain a minute longer than is absolutely necessary.

The interview terminated with Farrell’s statement that “Under the protection of the constitution, in the defense of which the armed forces of the nation had to go into action, Argentina’s institutions will revive full of the vigor which the youth of our country demands; the people itself will be master of its destiny; we desire only that I not make a mistake in choosing. This is the finest prize to which all the men aspire who are working in this purifying and patriotic stage.”

The Government is obviously making great efforts through propaganda to convince the world that its domestic and foreign policies are in harmony with the ideals of Pan Americanism and the democratic tradition. The Department will detect in the above echoes of Castillo and Ruiz Guiñazú of foreign policy and Ramírez, Perón and others of the July [June] 4 group on the Constitution and internal policy.

Interviewed yesterday by the same agency, ex-President Castillo declared that he believes indispensable an early return to normality, feels with deep disquiet the grave turn of events, and hopes that the men now in the Government will find the longed for solution. He added that the future and tranquillity of the country demand the greatest patriotism and self-sacrifice and that he has full confidence in the Argentine Army and Navy.

Armour

89. This has reference to the elevation of General Ramírez to the Presidency in 1943. For correspondence on the recognition of Ramírez by the United States, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. v, pp. 365 ff.