835.00/3–2646
The Chargé in Argentina (Cabot) to the Deputy Director of the Office of American Republic Affairs (Butler)
[Received April 4.]
Dear George: I am extremely obliged to you for your letter of March 15.5 It was the first news I have had from the Department regarding its attitude following Perón’s election and was therefore particularly helpful.
[Page 239]I am forwarding herewith copies of Salinger’s report6 about the connection between graft and Perón’s campaign funds. As I indicated in my previous letter, it is interesting and may be true, but unfortunately we can get no court evidence to support it. I hope it will be of some use even as it is.
With regard to matters of policy, I fear that my telegrams have already shown you that I am not altogether in agreement with your way of thinking. However, you have a far better opportunity than I to see the whole picture and I shall of course try to carry out the Department’s policy to the best of my ability.
I am discussing with the principal officers of the staff what we can do locally to implement the Department’s policy. I do not imagine for example that the Department would wish to have me toddling around with the top Government crowd or entertaining them …. It occurs to me, however, that at a lower level it might be wise for contacts to be maintained about as at present, i.e., a minimum of formal but informally normal.
We are thinking in terms of working as hard as ever against the Nazis, both in economic warfare and in repatriation. Any ammunition you can give us in this connection will be most helpful.… it is therefore not surprising that the Junta de Vigilancia7 has never been so charmingly responsive (we are even informed that Staudt is going to be liquidated), or that other Government officers are just too nice for words. I am somewhat afraid, however, that this may merely be due to Perón’s hope that we will change our tune. Incidentally, the various Government organizations are falling all over themselves for cooperation from the Information Service (for example in having film exhibitions, etc.)
I must reiterate what I have mentioned in my telegrams: that the atmosphere has decidedly changed since Spruille left;8 that most Argentines do not like our attitude, and that the more we talk about it the less they are going to like it. I realize that it may be necessary to inform public opinion in countries other than Argentina. What I do wish to make clear, however, is that there is very little possibility that what Spruille did here could be repeated under present circumstances; on the contrary, tough public statements are going to be resented, and the positive need for them should therefore be carefully considered before they are made.
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Very sincerely yours,