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

835.00/2418c: Circular telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics ⁵⁶

Washington , February 25, 1944—noon.

For your information and possible use in conversations you may have with officials of the government to which you are accredited the following telegram sent at 1 a.m. today has been received from the American Embassy in Buenos Aires:

“I understand that President Ramírez⁵⁷ has presented resignation on grounds of health, apparently under pressure from nationalist extremist elements in Army. Situation at moment is extremely confused, but it would appear that these elements have staged successful counter move against those Ramírez was reported to have under consideration in my 517, February 24, 6 p.m.⁵⁸ General Farrell,⁵⁹ Colonel Perón⁶⁰ and other officers are reported in continuous conference at War Ministry. Colonel Velasco has assumed charge of capital police headquarters and a Lieutenant Colonel Lagos of Posts and Telegraphs.

“A group of approximately 50 army personnel has moved into Union Telefónica Building, apparently to control telephone censorship.”

Stettinius

56. Sent to Brazil, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Cuba, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico.
57. Gen. Pedro P. Ramírez. For correspondence on relations between the Ramírez regime and the United States, see pp. 228 ff.
58. Not printed.
59. Gen. Edelmiro Farrell, Minister of War under Ramírez.
60. Col. Juan Domingo Perón, Director of the National Department of Labor.