835.911/10–1047: Airgram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
A–616. With reference to Department’s restricted telegram No. 945 of October 7, 6 p.m. and other recent correspondence concerning the transmittal of various messages to La Prensa:
It seems to us that messages from Secretaries Marshall, Forrestal, Anderson and other United States Government officials might be construed by the Argentine Government as being artificial and sent for the definite purpose of warning Perón that we are in sympathy with La Prensa and would look with disfavor on any action he might take against that paper. In Perón’s mind this would probably constitute interference in Argentine affairs.
[Page 322]If a message from the Department of State were signed by Assistant Secretary Armour, it would appear much more natural since Mr. Armour was Ambassador here for a long time and is a personal friend of the publisher of La Prensa. Such action would be considered as a very natural thing to do.
It is important in our opinion that as Secretary of Defense Mr. Forrestal should not send a statement since this could be interpreted as having political significance. We have emphasized repeatedly that relationships between armed services in Argentina and the United States are on a completely professional basis. Our Military, Naval and Air Attachés and Naval and Air Missions have done a good job and have the respect of the Argentine servicemen.
The Government here is most desirous of having a friendly press in the United States. We think it is desirable that leading United States publishers send congratulatory messages to La Prensa. We have consistently maintained here that the United Press is an objective newsgathering and news-distributing service and so far we have been successful in the help we have been able to render UP and AP on this basis. It would prejudice our case if we had need in the future to help them and the suspicion were aroused that they were protagonists in developing support for La Prensa on behalf of United States Government officials. A short time ago I gave a reception, inviting all members of the local press, except publishers, including representatives of the Argentine Government information office. The latter, although accepting, did not come and the reason was because there were going to be present members of the so-called opposition press, including representatives of La Prensa. A situation in which the United Press requests statements from leading U.S. Government officials to send congratulatory messages to La Prensa would immediately, in our opinion, be used by the Argentine Government information office, by exaggerating its importance and presenting it to the attention of the President accompanied by interpretations which were by no means intended. The objectives of the Department, of the United Press and this Embassy are the same but the means of attaining them have to be studied most carefully so that no impractical counterirritant is injected into the situation which would be upsetting to the attainment of the results we are working for.
As already stated to the Department, we know Gainza Paz personally and have the highest esteem for him and La Prensa. However, we do not wish to take action which might in the long run be prejudicial to him and make our delicate negotiations with Perón more difficult.