835.00/3–2946: Telegram
The Chargé in Argentina (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 30—1:22 a.m.]
907. Necessarily hasty reading of 51 page mimeographed reply to Blue Book gives impression of many glittering generalities and rather weak argumentation. General tone one of more in sorrow than in anger, although at times indignation is expressed. No countercharges made and only a few of Blue Book charges are specifically mentioned.
Reply (in form of circular note) begins by referring to Blue Book as unprecedented case in diplomatic annals of continent and serious attack on spirit of American confraternity. It calls publication of Blue Book a lamentable intromission in internal political affairs of Argentina. After criticizing Von Meynen’s9 exaggerations, it admits German spying in Argentina but says relations were broken because of discovery through Hellmuth10 case and refers to German espionage in United States. Memorandum claims Argentine adherence to Act of Chapultepec and United Nations Charter juridically estop subsequent accusations for previous acts.
Second section refers to Argentine fulfilment of international commitments particularly measures against enemy property, closing of German and Japanese schools, closing of Nazi publications, delivery of 2 Nazi submarines, repatriation of Graf Spee sailors, and measures against German spies.11
Section III refers to charges against Argentine Army. It points out that Argentina tried to obtain arms from United States before turning to Germany and was rebuffed; that Argentina needed arms for own defense (Truman is quoted re United States): and that arms could not have been sent from Germany to Argentina. Section makes feeble denial of charges regarding Captain Chavarria’s mission to Chile by saying he went to deliver replica of sword of San Martín; uses incorrect newspaper version of Blue Book reference to Rawson12 to refute charge against him; with reference to Olano13 says that the army does not govern with menaces; claims that military program was stated by Ortiz; makes point that Libro Azul claims on one hand [Page 241] Argentina is arming disproportionately but on other hand admits Argentina could get no arms; refers indignantly to Blue Book statement that Govt soldiers staged a bloody demonstration in Buenos Aires and explains away army expenditures by referring to great improvements of a non military nature provided for soldiers.
Section IV refers caustically to Blue Book’s comments on Nazi character of Argentine regime by saying that nothing could be more perilous than foreign criticism of the internal political conditions of a country. Section admits that revolutionary Govt may have made mistakes but argues that that was inevitable and that general purpose of Government has always been laudable. Points to free elections as completing purposes of revolution and impossibility that Nazi regime would hold free elections. After several more pages of noble words about Argentine democracy and peaceful intentions reply ends by asking for restraint on part of United States toward weaker nations.
- Erich Otto von Meynen, former German Chargé d’Affaires in Buenos Aires.↩
- Osmar Alberto Hellmuth whose revelations to British officers was one factor that led to the breach of relations between Argentina and Germany in 1944.↩
- For documentation on the encounter between the Graf Spee and British warships, the scuttling of the Graf Spee and internment of its crew by Argentina, see Foreign Relations, 1939, vol. v, pp. 91 ff.↩
- Gen. Arturo Rawson, former Acting President of Argentina.↩
- Col. Manuel José Olano, President of the Administrative Council for the Intervention of Axis firms.↩