862.20235/10–2447
The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
No. 11158
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my despatch no. 10826, dated August 30, 1947, which enclosed an interim report on the interrogation of the three principal deportees who were brought from Argentina aboard the SS Río Teuco: Hans Harnisch, Josef Schröll alias Alfonso Chantrain, and Wolf Emil Franczok alias Gustav Utzinger. A final report on the interrogation of the last-named is submitted herewith, in various enclosures.68 In accordance with the Department’s wishes the alias Gustav Utzinger has been used throughout, since practically all records to date so refer to him.
Utzinger’s interrogation was a lengthy one, and in matters involving [Page 213] possibly controversial statements he was required to sign a series of affidavits. These sworn declarations are in most cases rather long and detailed, wherefore in the interests of clarity there subject matter has first been condensed into one all-over report (enclosure no. 1).
The high points of German-Argentine collaboration, as brought out in this and the concomitant interrogations, have already been treated in despatch no. 10826 of August 30. Utzinger was in an advantageous position to observe the many irregularities in Argentina’s handling of the espionage cases, and his resentment at having been deported made him a willing witness. Owing to the basic integrity and the high degree of intelligence of this prisoner, his testimony is probably more reliable than that of any of the other repatriates, either on the Río Teuco or the Pampa. There were subjects on which he was unable or unwilling to be of help, but in most cases he was cooperative and informative. In spite of certain inconsistencies in the account of his personal motives it is believed that his statements regarding German-Argentine relations are in most cases dependable.
It is not within the province of this Mission to decide whether or not Utzinger will be subject to automatic arrest, although it appears that he may fall within one of the more recent amnesty categories. Nevertheless, he will be held in the Repatriation Center at Ludwigsburg (together with Hans Harnisch, whose interrogation has also been finished and will be reported presently) until it is ascertained that there are no more questions for him. It would therefore be appreciated if the Department would indicate as soon as is convenient whether the results of the interrogation are sufficient.
Respectfully yours,
- None printed; enclosure No. 1 indicated that Utzinger denied being in the pay of German intelligence but admitted aiding Becker who was in charge of SD activity in all of Latin America. He agreed to aid in establishing a communication system to serve all intelligence groups but denied transmitting reports of ship movements. He testified that Perón suppressed information on the contact of military and political personalities in the investigation of the Utzinger ring, and required the retouching of testimony, etc.↩