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

862.20210/9–2244

The Chargé in Argentina ( Reed ) to the Secretary of State

[Extract]

No. 16155

Buenos Aires , September 22, 1944.
[Received October 2.]

Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Embassy’s despatch no. 16069 of September 14, 1944,⁴⁹ and to transmit herewith further information received from the Office of the Military Attaché regarding the arrest and detention of Axis espionage agents. This information comes from a “well-informed, definitely reliable police contact”.

The first of two reports, dated September 19, reads as follows:

• “1) Nazi agents are still being watched, but not being picked up. They have been warned that they are under surveillance, but have been told not to let that bother them.
• “2) Police have been told to go easy on Nazis arrested in radio espionage case.
• “3) Walter Junkers has been released. Police say they have nothing on him.
• “4) Ortiz de la Calle and his wife were used by Utzinger as covers in renting places from which to operate.
• “5) A concerted drive on American agents will start immediately. No names or specific orders have been given as yet, but police have orders to stand by prepared to get busy. Allied agents not mentioned. American agents were specified.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Edward L. Reed

49. Not printed.