710.Consultation (3)/329: Telegram

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

92. Following telegram sent to Rio de Janeiro, January 15, 7 p.m.

For Under Secretary Welles. The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs has made it clear to me that the Argentine Government will not agree to break relations with any of the Axis Powers, using the same old arguments—their lack of military and naval defense which makes it impossible to take what he described as “any pre-belligerent action” that might subject them to attack by the Axis Powers. (The Acting President made the same statement to my deputy friend, adding confidentially that both army and navy are opposed to a break.) With this exception Rothe insists that they are prepared to follow the United States and other American Republics in all measures of a political and economic nature including prevention of Axis propaganda and subversive activities, furnishing us with essential materials and facilities of their port for our naval vessels, repairs, fueling, et cetera.

I assume it is still our prime objective at the Conference to obtain a joint declaration of all American Republics severing relations. In this case, I believe the strongest argument we could use with Argentina would be that any country which refused to join in the resolution cannot expect the same assistance from United States in essential defense material and other necessary products as those who have broken relations and consequently, according to Argentina’s own thesis, subjected themselves to danger of attack.

I am informed that Castillo feels reasonably certain that Argentina can count on one or more countries siding with them in refusing to join in resolution. If they find all other countries support resolution this will have telling effect since, no matter what they say, they genuinely fear isolation and its inevitable consequences for them externally and internally.

Repeated to Department.

Armour