"ARGENTINITY"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25426, 6 January 1944, Page 2

"ARGENTINITY"

Two distinctive decisions , have marked the introduction of the new year by the authoritarian Ramirez regime in Argentina. One decree announced recognition of the revolutionary Government which recently assumed power in Bolivia—a Government/ described as basically anti-Ameri-can and said to be composed of “ ambitious militarists, ''former pro-Axis politicians and some honest Socialists.” A second decree ordered the dissolution of all political parties in Argentina, professedly in accordance with General Ramirez’s earlier pledge “to eradicate corruption in the republic’s political life and finally restore constitutional democracy.” Either one . of these decisions might be regarded as indicating a defiant trend in Argentinian government. Taken together, they strengthen the view frequently expressed in diplomatic quarters in the United States that General Ramirez is setting a dangerous course, away from pan-American-ism and towards the complete political and economic isolation of his country. The President and certain of his Ministers have persistently asserted that the regime is not totalitarian. It is none the less a military regime, determined, in terms of its'stated programme, to impose the strictest civic discipline, and bearing all the distinguishing marks of totalitarianism. Liberal elements which were included in the Administration at the outset have since been replaced. The Foreign Minister, Vice-admiral' Segundo Storni, one of the most, strongly proAllied members, of whom it was 'said that he would never lend himself to the introduction of Fascism in Argentina, resigned in September last when the nationalist press criticised him for making an approach to the United States for lease-lend aid. Fie was accused of having exposed Argentina to an open rebuke from Washington, after Mr Cordell Hull had refused the leaselend request on the ground that Argentina had failed to do her share in protecting the Western Hemisphere from aggression. He had also expressed approval of an article in a leading Buenos Aires news-

paper which said that the Government was not following “ the feelings and hopes of the country in the matter of international policy.” The newspaper itself was subsequently suspended for an indefinite period. Then, in November, two new Ministers were appointed. Dr Cesar Ameghino, who became Finance Minister, has been described as “Argentina’s most notorious Fascist,” and every departmental chief at the Treasury, including the leading financial specialists of the country, left office in protest when he assumed office. Dr Gustava Zuviria, who was appointed Minister of Justice and Public Education, possesses a reputation for favouring anti-Jewish measures and the acquisition of political power by the Roman Catholic Church. Coincidentally there was a decision from the courts, of which Dr Zuviria had become the ministerial head, releasing twenty leaders of the Argentine group of the German National Socialist Workers’ Party, who were charged with extorting contributions from the local German community. They were released with the rider that the proceedings “ did not affect their good name or honour.” If other proofs of the Fascist trend in government were needed, they might be found in the measures which led up to the suppression of political parties, such as a repressive censorship exercised against the press and the radio. One underground publication recently said: “We want the people to know that our newspapers are unable to tell the truth on events happening in the country. In every paper a delegate of the Argentinian Gestapo approves the information which it is allowed to publish.” Another declared: “The defence which the country needs is that of its freedom of speech, of assembly and of the press, which are the essence of democracy and now are run over by the military clique owning the Government.” To all of this and much more beside, the Government from time to time seeks to make reply. The campaign against the Jews, it asserts, has been suspended. The campaign against Communism “ does not signify in any sense action resulting from a contrary ideology,” but is “ simply a Government measure designed to safeguard the moral values of the people.” And there is this informative footnote, lately added to a United States correspondent’s dispatch by the chief of the President’s Press Office: “Traditionally Argentine are the loyal and sincere friendship of other countries, love of the fatherland and genuine liberty. The ideas and programme of the Government therefore are, in a single word— Argentinity.”