AXIS INFLUENCE IN ARGENTINA

Southland Times, Issue 25483, 2 October 1944, Page 5

AXIS INFLUENCE IN ARGENTINA

AMERICAN ATTITUDE DEFINED

(Rec. 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 29. In a statement about the United States policy towards Argentina, Mr Roosevelt said that he had been following closely and with increasing concern the Argentine situation. * “This situation presents an extraordinary paradox of the growth of Nazi and Fascist influence and the increase ing application of Nazi and Fascist methods in, a country of this hemisphere at a time when those forces of oppression and aggression are drawing ever closer to the hour of' final defeat and judgment in Europe and elsewhere in the world, said Mr Roosevelt. The paradox is accentuated by the fact, of which we are all aware, that the vast majority of the people of Argentina remained steadfast in their faith in their own free democratic traditions, and in their support of the nations of peoples who have been making such great sacrifices in the fight against the Nazis and Fascists. This is made clear beyond all doubt by the great and spontaneous demonstration of public feeling in Argentina on the liberation of Paris.

“The Argentine Government has repudiated its solemn inter-American obligations on the basis of which the nations of this hemisphere developed a system of defence to meet the challenge of Axis aggression. RESPECT, FOR OBLIGATIONS

“Unless we demonstrate our capacity to develop the tradition of respect for such obligations among the civilized nations, there can be little hope for the system of international security theoretically created to maintain the principles for which the people are today sacrificing to the limit their resources, both human and material, in this way. I subscribe wholeheartedly to the words of Mr Churchill who said: ‘This isn’t like some of the small wars in the past where all could be forgotten and forgiven. Nations must be judged by the parts they play. Not only belligerents, but neutrals, will find their positions in the world cannot remain entirely unaffected by the part they have chosen to take in the crisis of war.’

“I have considered it important to make this statement of the position of the Government of the United States at this time because it has come to my attention that the Nazi radio broadcast to Latin America and the pro-Nazi Press in Argentina, as well as a few irresponsible individuals and groups in this and certain other republics, seek to undermine the position of the American republics and our associates among the United Nations by fabricating and circulating a vicious rumour that our counsels are divided on the course of our policy towards Argentina.” A high Argentine Foreign Office official is quoted by the Buenos Aires correspondent of the United Press as saying that Argentina’s decision to ban Axis criminals was made clear to Washington by the Argentine Charge d’Affaires, but Washington preferred to ignore the statement. The official added that Argentina’s statement had not mentioned ■ the United States because the British Government was the only United Nations Government which listened to Argentina. Other Government officials characterized the official United States attitude towards Argentina as deliberate an- | tagonism. I