835.731/37: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:38 p.m.]
629. Argentine law requires that telegraph companies keep in their files copies of all messages for period of two years after which they are destroyed. Local manager of All America states he would be willing to disregard law if so instructed by head office; he does not feel he can assume risk on own responsibility.
Although manager states Government messages of neighboring countries have long been periodically removed from company’s files for examination by Government authorities, he keeps all of this Embassy messages in personal safe and seems satisfied he can fend off [Page 397] any possible efforts to secure them. However, events of March l,66 plus visit last night to All America by army officer interested in company’s operations (especially traffic with Montevideo) lead Embassy to consider definitely desirable action suggested in Department’s 363 of March 1, 7 p.m. It is recommended that New York office of All America be encouraged to forward appropriate instructions to manager here.