835.00/1–2246: Telegram
The Chargé in Argentina ( Cabot ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22—8:39 p.m.]
231. Further reactions to release of 13 German Embassy telegrams:
- 1.
- Tribuna in two solid page[s] of vituperation calls me first spy, first insolent and first liar of Argentina, along with several other charming epithets.
- 2.
- Ahora in today’s edition screams that Braden is a liar in headlines on top of practically every page. Because sensational revelations were liberally advertised, whole edition was sold out by 9 a.m.
- 3.
- Silveyra, head of ex-Clarinada [ex-head of Clarinada?] and Lestrade have published dull solicitadas in Tribuna.
- 4.
- Aparicio (Andi) after seeking Embassy approval of letter, plans to publish it tomorrow without Embassy authorization. He is terrified of losing valuable Radio Belgrano contract.
Extraordinary thing is that no serious attack has been made on authenticity of documents and any study of defense of affected publications clearly shows that they accept documents as authentic. Thus Tribuna claims that garble in one telegram was deliberate mutilation by Embassy to cover presently democratic newspaper. Even extreme nationalists appear to believe documents authentic but are raging at alleged interference in Argentina national Affairs and demand that [Page 190] I be declared persona non grata. Epoca, Ahora, Democracia and Audi are proclaiming their 100 percent democracy.
I am having PL cases prepared against Tribuna and Ahora. For moment continue to recommend no action against Andi, which is quite possibly ruined in any case.