Revolution in Argentina

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23969, 9 June 1943, Page 2

Revolution in Argentina

Though the immediate cause ot the political revolution in the Argentine is not yet clear, its background is reasonably so. What its effect will be on Argentina’s foreign policy is still obscure. The obstinate neutrality of the Argentine under President Castillo is Understandable for two reasons, First, many influential Argentinians, including Castillo, believed that, German victory was certain and that the Argentine would profit by it. Second, although 80 to 90 per cent, of the people are pro-Ally, they are sympathisers rather than active supporters. Under a virtual dictatorship and with the country declared to be in a state of siege, opinion has not had a chance to gather and exert an effective force. A neutral tradition, moreover, counts for something. Under a radical government in the Great War Argentina remained neutral; under a reactionary government in this, she has followed suit. But Argentina’s has been a curious neutrality. Of all the South American Governments, hers has been the only one to tolerate, and sometimes apparently to encourage, the open activities of Nazi agents and propagandists, even when ‘they have operated under diplomatic privilege. In Buenos Aires, Germany has established South American headquarters, from which the efficient Nazi machine has co-ordinated its diplomacy, propaganda, fifthcolumnism, and trade. A very large number of Germans have been engaged in this work, recruited from the 59,000 Nazis of German birth and at least 250,000 more of direct German descent. Their work convinced many Argentinians that Germany would dictate the peace; that it would be a “just peace”; and that in the redrawing of the map of South America, some of the smaller countries would disappear and at least two, Uruguay and Paraguay, be absorbed by Argentina, with the British Falkland Islands as well. But it is fair to say that such a reward for a neutrality helpful to the Axis would not greatly appeal to most Argentinians. As a correspondent in “ The Times ” a few months ago said :

The present world conflict stirs Argentine opinion much loss deeply than did the Spanish civil war. The latter, Argentines saw as a purely ideological struggle and everyone took sides. For some inscrutable reason they see the issues to-day as much less clearly defined, and there is a great deal of mental confusion.

This has probably been added to by the conditions imposed or tolerated by the Castillo Government: for while its foreign policy was opposed by the whole of the responsible press until public discussion of foreign aflairs was forbidden, a dozen pro-Axis newspapers, created since the war to serve Nationalist and Axis interests, have been allowed a fairly free rein. Britain may have erred at first by making no protest against the relations of the Argentine Government with the Axis; but its official declaration in February that it deplored the continuance of Argentine diplomatic relations with “the enemies of “ humanity ” must have cleared the air, and helped to stifle German propagandist hints that Britain was primarily concerned with her economic interests in Argentina after the war. Whether the military clique controlling Argentina to-day has rightly convinced itself of the certainty of victory for the Allies and wishes the country to get on side is not certain. General Rawson, president for a day, declared for “ continued neutrality for the pres- “ ent.” “ For the present ” may be significant.