835.01/10–744: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
8249. Our Military Attaché in Argentina, who is Dean of Military Attachés, has received intimation from Chief of Argentine Military Intelligence that he intends to recommend that foreign military attachés be invited to attend military maneuvers in Cordoba Province last half of this month. We consider it most undesirable that military attachés of non-recognizing countries should attend these maneuvers. It is evident that Argentine authorities are seeking to utilize relations with foreign military and naval officers for propaganda purposes, suggesting that despite non-recognition they are able to maintain perfectly normal relations with the military authorities of [Page 360] other countries. War Department emphasizes importance of British taking joint action with us on this matter. Please discuss matter with Foreign Office at earliest opportunity and express our strong hope that British Military Attaché in Buenos Aires will be instructed not to attend these maneuvers. We have made our views known to British Embassy here, which has undertaken to communicate immediately with London, but in view of shortage of time it has suggested that we also approach War Office directly in London.
Embassy at Buenos Aires has been informed of our views and action taken. Please report British decision as soon as possible.