740.0011 European War 1939/32855: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 26—10:02 p.m.]
223. Following is text of address broadcast by President Ramírez29 this morning.
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“The history and tradition of our country have shown that, the Argentine Republic has maintained at all times a foreign policy of true, loyal and unwavering friendship towards free peoples. That conduct, honorable in the principles that sustain it and in the practice [Page 378] of its application, has inspired the words of our delegates before great congresses and conferences, proclaiming the juridical equality of states, and sustaining the inviolability of the self-determination of peoples.
The hospitality which the Argentine Government and people extend to foreigners within their territory shares in those principles, and is guaranteed by noble, broad, and generous feelings. Therefore, the least that the nation can require from those foreigners who live and work within its frontiers is a loyal reciprocation of feeling and an indubitable respect for republican institutions.
Faced with the present war which is convulsing the entire world, the Argentine Government decreed and maintained the neutrality of the nation. In accordance with the aims of the government, this policy had one single intention, one single goal; the fulfillment of the traditional policy of Argentina towards conflicts abroad.
With regard to the nations of America, our country moved by immutable feelings of brotherhood, which have their origin in history, geography, in race, and in the identity of institutions—adopted a formula of cooperation and solidarity that is based on friendship rather than juridical principles. In this way economic cooperation and spiritual solidarity have not, up to now, been impaired nor lessened. Inspired by this policy the Argentine Government has logically been obliged, not only to defend the sovereignty of the nation by maintaining strict vigilance and providing for her territorial security, but also by preventing with the full authority of its armed forces any ideological infiltration; or any overt or hidden action that might be contrary to the high interests of the country.
We are faced with facts that have been verified by the Federal Police of the nation which reveal a secret and organized system of espionage and war information, attributable to the Axis countries.
The national sovereignty has, then, been impaired under the protection of the friendly hospitality guaranteed by the constitution of Argentina to all men who live within her territory.
The government, in its dual character, as the supreme and genuine representative of the Argentine people and the authentic voice of the armed forces, assumes under these serious circumstances the responsibility of a clear-cut attitude, backed by the intimate feelings and patriotic spirit of all citizens of the republic.
In view of the gravity of these facts, which are offensive to Argentine feelings, the continued presence among us of the diplomatic representatives of Germany and of Japan becomes inacceptable. There are no attenuating factors; there are no possible explanations to justify the actions and plans of those who, within the republic or in contact with it, are working against the national sovereignty, as pure and intangible as the symbols of the nation.…”
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- Gen. Pedro P. Ramírez. For correspondence on the United States recognition of the Ramírez regime, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. v, p. 365.↩