BREAK IMMINENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25805, 28 March 1945, Page 5

BREAK IMMINENT

ARGENTINA AND THE AXIS DECLARATION EXPECTED BUENOS AIRES, (Rec. 1.45 p.m.) Mar. 27. The Argentine Government announced that it sent the German Government a protest on March 3 denouncing the brutal treatment that an Argentine citizen, his wife, and two children suffered at the hands of German soldiers. The Government further decreed that all Axis firms in Argentina be placed under military control immediately. The Foreign Minister Dr Amerhino, stated that Argentina’s international position would be publicly announced to-day. The Buenos Aires correspondent of the New York Times says: “ Most of the Argentinians will be extremely surprised if the Government does not announce that the country is at war, but they are still doubtful whether war will be declared on both Germany and Japan or Japan only. However, the fact that the news of Argentina’s quarrel with Germany has been kept hidden until now suggests that war will be declai'ed against both countries simultaneously. ' It is presumed that the imminence of a declaration of war was responsible for anti-war demonstrations by hundreds of young nationalists. They paraded the streets of Buenos Aires shouting against war and asking for the head of the Vice-president, Colonel Peron. Police were stationed at all strategic points, including the British and American Embassies. Foot and mounted police and tear gas squads intervened repeatedly with great energy, dispersing demonstrators who kept the streets in a state of uproar for several hours."