Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The American Republics, Volume V

810.74/897c: Telegram

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

Washington, January 14, 1943—9 p.m.

67. The situation with respect to Axis use of telecommunications in Argentina seems to warrant special efforts to point out the true state of affairs through all available channels of public information. The expected rupture of relations with the Axis by Chile²⁵ should give a news story on which to base comments on the situation in Argentina.

It is, therefore, planned to take the opportunity offered by the expected Chilean break to point out in American radio broadcast news commentaries the fact that Axis diplomatic offices in Argentina are still able to transmit information by means of secret codes. It is hoped that any statement which the Chilean Government may make in connection with the breaking of relations will give some information concerning espionage activities²⁶ which may be related to the Argentine situation. Subsequently, it is hoped that public statements by prominent persons in this country and in other American republics may be made which will contribute to a wider discussion of the Axis use of Argentine telecommunications in press and radio.

Although the state of siege in Argentina will probably make discussion of this subject impossible within the country, some comments can be sent to Argentina by shortwave radio. Furthermore, the cooperation of the Coordination Committee²⁷ for Uruguay is being obtained to create as much discussion as possible of this point on Uruguayan radios and in Uruguayan newspapers which reach Argentina. We are cabling the Embassy in Montevideo to this effect and suggest that you take appropriate steps to get in touch with the Embassy and Committee there in order to guide them in their discussions and provide as much material as possible which will enable them to keep the subject alive in their news programs. It would be desirable for you to send someone to Montevideo to work with the Embassy and Committee there on this subject.

Anything that can be done in Argentina along these lines will, of course, be all to the good.

Hull

25. Official notice of this rupture reached the Department on January 21, 1943. For correspondence on this subject, see pp. 795 ff.
26. See pp. 22 ff.
27. A committee of the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs.