Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The American Republics, Volume XI

862.20235/8–2246: Telegram

The Ambassador in Argentina (Messersmith) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Buenos Aires, August 22, 1946—7 p.m.
[Received August 22—6:49 p.m.]

2060. Embtel 1836, July 15.⁹ Embassy advised by good source Supreme Court today reversed decision Appellate Court and sustained decision of court first instance in granting habeas corpus to number German agents, including Becker¹⁰ et al. Two of judges held that law of residence is unconstitutional while two others approved decision without going into questions of constitutionality.

While there is no official confirmation this decision, it is not improbable information correct.

It remains opinion Embassy that regardless these difficulties, Argentine Government has decided to proceed against considerable number on lists submitted by British and ourselves.

Messersmith

9. Not printed.
10. Johannes Siegfried Becker, former head of the network of Axis espionage organizations in South America.