POSITION OF ARGENTINA

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22467, 30 September 1944, Page 5

POSITION OF ARGENTINA

MR ROOSEVELT’S WARNING JUDGMENT OF NATIONS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Sept. 30, 1 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 In a statement dealing with the United States’ policy towards Argentina President Roosevelt said he had been following closely and with increasing concern the Argentine situation. “This situation presents the extraordinary paradox of the growth of Nazi-Fascist influence and the increasing application of Nazi-Fascist methods in a country of this hemisphere at the very time when those forces of oppression and aggression are drawing ever closer to the hour cf final defeat and the judgment of Europe and elsewhere,” he said. “The paradox is accentuated by the fact, of which we are all aware, that the vast majority of the people of Argentina remain steadfast in their faith in their own free and democratic traditions and in their support of the nations and peoples who have been making such great sacrifices in the fight against the Nazi-Fascists. This was made clear l eyond all doubt by the great and spontaneous demonstration of public feeling in Argentina for the liberation of Paris.

“The Argentine Government has :epudiated the solemn inter-Ameri-can 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 the capacity to develop the tradition of respect for such obligations among the civilised nations there can be little hope for a system of international security theoretically created to maintain the principles for which the peoples are today sacrificing to the limit of their resources, both human and material.

“In this connection I subscribe wholeheartedly to the words of Mr Churchill, who said: ‘This is not like some small wars in the past, where all could be forgotten and forgiven. The nations must be judged by the parts they play. Not only belligerents but neutrals will find that their positions in the world cannot remain entirely unaffected by the part they Lave chosen to play in the crisis of the 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 beamed on Latin America, the pio-Nazi press in Argentina, as well as a few irresponsible individuals and groups in this and certain other republics who 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.” Argentina's Complaint

A high Argentine Foreign Office official is quoted by the United Press’ Buenos Aires correspondent 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 was not mentioned in the United States because the British was the only United Nations Government which listens to Argentina.

Other Government officials characlerised the official United States’ attitude towards Argentina as deliberate antagonism.