835.00/2423b: Circular telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics 70

For your information and for such discreet use as you deem appropriate reports reaching the Department on the recent events in Argentina, indicate that President Ramírez’ fall was the result of his attempt to take a firm stand against the GOU71 members of his Government [Page 294] and that in spite of the public declaration of Perón that there would be no Cabinet changes, Ramírez’ closest adviser in the Cabinet, Sueyro,73 is also reported to have resigned. Although it has not yet been possible to obtain from Ramírez himself a true story of what happened, circumstantial evidence seems to indicate that Ramírez was forced to resign. Later the ex-President’s adversaries, realizing that jf this fact became known abroad, the maneuver might be interpreted as a coup d’état and the question of recognition would be raised. A new formula was, therefore, conceived. This consisted of Ramírez’ “delegating” his authority to Farrell and the press was instructed by the police to make no reference to “resignation”. Announcement of Ramírez’ need for rest et cetera was used to substantiate the new formula. Prior to the receipt of the police instructions against reference to resignation in the press, several of the early editions had carried the story of Ramírez’ resignation.

According to Ambassador Armour, the situation remains confused and further developments may be expected.

Stettinius
  1. Sent to Panama, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.
  2. Grupo de Oficiales Unidos, a group of young army officers among whom was Perón. They appear to have used the slogan: “Gobierno, Orden, Unidad.”
  3. Adm. Benito Sueyro, Minister of Marine and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs.