ARGENTINE POLICY

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1943, Page 5

ARGENTINE POLICY

No Break With Axis LATEST INDICATIONS. (Rec. 1'1.0.) NEW YORK, June 21. General Basilo Pertine has been appointed to the Mayoralty or Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital. He is a pro-Nazi. Democratic sections in Argentina are perturbed by his appointment, and also by the suspension of one of the leading anti-Axis newspapers, and three pro-democratic radio stations. Supervision over tne newspapers and broadcasting on a Berlin pattern, has been taken, in spite of the Goveminent’s promises of closer PanAmerican co-operation. Genera! Pertine has for years been a director of half a dozen German firms that are black-listed in America. He is also the leader of tne Nazi element in Argentine Army circles. Diplomats in neighbouring countries are now convinced that General Pertine’s appointment indicates' that President Ramirez does not intend any really strong measures against Axis “Fifth Columnists,’’ who are still working in Argentina, let alone an outright diplomatic break with the Axis Powers. There was a suspension of diplomatic codes by the Government, as cabled last week. This does not mean much, since it is still possible to pcik up a telephone in Buenos Aires and call the Wilhelmstrasse.