810.20 Defense/6–146
The Chief of Staff (Eisenhower) to the Under Secretary of State (Acheson)
Dear Mr. Secretary: Thank you for your note of May 31 with its enclosures.40 I am somewhat at a loss regarding the second paragraph of the paraphrase copy of the telegram to Ambassador Messersmith, which states:
“2) In the event that von der Becke calls on Eisenhower he would be received but discussion would be limited to pointing out that before the question of military collaboration could be considered it would be necessary for Argentina to comply with its inter-American agreements. There would be no discussion of what this compliance should consist of nor would there be any discussion of what United States might be disposed to do should Argentina comply.”
In my conversation with you prior to my talk with Colonel Arturo Bertollo, the Military Attaché of Argentina, you suggested that to discuss with him the factors that Argentina would have to comply with in its inter-American agreements. Following specifically your instructions, I indicated to Colonel Bertollo that: (a) a list of names of important firms in Argentina was furnished the Argentine Government in the hope that these firms who supported the war effort of the Axis Powers would be liquidated or taken over by the Argentine Government; (b) a list of about one hundred persons in Argentina considered to be agents or spies of the Axis Powers, was furnished the Argentine Government in the hope that in accordance with the agreements previously mentioned, these persons would either be arrested or deported; (c) insofar as could be determined here it was my understanding that the firms mentioned were still in operation, and of the hundred persons named as agents or spies, only 23 of the minor ones had been arrested or deported.
I indicated to Colonel Bertollo that if the Argentine Government found it possible to meet the views of the Department of State as indicated above, General von der Becke would find me willing to meet [Page 251] him more than half way in establishing such basis for effective cooperation between the Argentine and United States’ Armies as would be approved by my government.
Since this was done with your complete understanding and approval, I feel that I should be placed in an untenable position should I be restricted to the literal interpretation of the paraphrase-quoted paragraph, which indicates that there would be no discussion of how the Argentine Government should comply with its inter-American agreements after having, in effect, discussed this somewhat freely with a subordinate of General von der Becke. Since General von der Becke is due to arrive shortly, I would appreciate an immediate reply on the above point. The War Department has been extremely careful throughout in refraining from taking the initiative in any detail outside its own clear responsibility and in keeping the State Department informed of all of its moves in this connection. It has followed to the letter the desires of the State Department as we understand them. The War Department has in no way inspired, sponsored or encouraged von der Becke’s visit.
Should von der Becke call upon me I will be glad to transmit to you a summary of the conversation—but if I am not even authorized to repeat to him the statements I made in good faith to his subordinate, then I feel I will have to decline to see him.
Sincerely,
- None printed.↩