835.01/1–1945: Telegram
The Chargé in Argentina ( Reed ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:37 p.m.]
111. Recent events indicate that Perón15 is in full control of situation. He has to all appearances successfully defied the ultra Nationalists and has ousted Peluffo16 who dared to oppose him and seemed to have some support among the military. If Perón is to be believed, he got rid of Peluffo because latter was pro-Nazi. He has not even thought it worth while to answer Peluffo’s contention that he resigned because of difference of opinion over when and how elections should be held. Measures already taken and others probably being contemplated can only be interpreted as last-minute drive by Farrell,17 Perón to impress American Governments before Foreign Ministers [Page 370] meet at Mexico City. In fact, it seems highly probable that Department should be prepared to face a situation in which the Farrell government can demonstrate an adequate if belated compliance with practically all important commitments and in which only lack of confidence in and unwillingness to deal with Farrell, Perón and Company can be adduced as the real reason for continued non-recognition.
Repeated to Montevideo, Rio and Santiago and Lima.