835.00/2–2146: Telegram
The Chargé in Argentina (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
confidential
Buenos
Aires, February 21, 1946—7
p.m.
[Received 11:26 p.m.]
[Received 11:26 p.m.]
555. Opinion as to effect of Blue Book in Argentina continues to be sharply divided.
- 1.
- Great majority of people with whom Embassy comes in contact are pleased at publication. Practically all of these are democratic.
- 2.
- A substantial minority of democratic element believes Blue Book timing was poor. In democratic elements opinion appears to be swinging against timing of publication of Blue Book.
- 3.
- Despite wide questioning Embassy has encountered few instances of persons swung to one side or other by publication of Blue Book. Most notable apparent case that of General Peluffo,76 who alleges he was swung to side of Perón as result of affront to country’s dignity.
- 4.
- Due to length of Blue Book Embassy has heard from various sources that public paying more attention to solicitadas77 (which frequently twist Blue Book text) than to Blue Book itself.
- 5.
- Many friends of US are fearful of the long range psychological reaction of Blue Book.
- 6.
- Most newspapers and politicians are handling Blue Book charges very gingerly. They are apparently apprehensive of unfavorable popular reaction.
- 7.
- Democratic forces by no means as confident regarding elections as fortnight ago but this is apparently due to success of recent Perón meetings and to implications of Plaza Once and other recent shootings rather than to Blue Book.
Cabot