ARGENTINE POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24273, 14 May 1942, Page 4

ARGENTINE POLICY

With the possibility of specialist treatment restoring President Roberto Ortiz to active life, it is suggested that a change in the foreign policy of Argentina may follow. Failing eyesight has kept the President in retirement for nearly two years, during which period the Vice-President, Dr. Ramon S. Castillo, has acted in his place. The policy of determined isolation, which has made Argentina one of the only two South American Republics to maintain diplomatic relations with the Axis, has been attributed largely to the influence of Dr. Castillo. It is a policy of appeasement rather than of friendship, but whatever its motive it has made Argentina join with Chile in the only two voices dissenting from a direct break with the Axis. Chile has the better excuse in a long and vulnerable coastline, lying open to attack if Japanese naval power should reach across to the coast of America. No such potential menace is pointed at Argentina, but the to preserve neutrality tag been dtm most ftMM&ed thwrtj

than in the other Republic. It may be true, as is hinted, that the influence of the President would be directed against this policy. If so it would come up against a very direct mandate the Castillo attitude has recently been given. In the elections the Conservative Coalition which supports Castillo scored an overwhelming victory, for which his neutrality policy has been given all the credit by commentators. Even if a change at the head of the State might be in favour of the Allies, this demonstration of popular feeling cannot be discounted.