Evening star., 1939-05-21
Europe's Juggling
Leaves Argentina
On Tight Rope
Officials Fear to Offend
Two Best Customers,
Britain and Reich
BY RAFAEL ORDORICA and
HAROLD X. MILKS.

by RAFAEL ORDORlCA ana
HAROLD X. MILKS.
BUENOS AIRES Correspondence
Of the Associated Press).-The Jug
Cling in international politics in
Europe has thrust the big, rich
South American country Of Argen-
tina-an ocean away-into the un-
happy role of an economic tight
rope walker.
Argentina's three biggest custom
ers, Great Britain, Germany and the
United States, play with her the
leading roles in a new world drama
curiously interviewer with the old
worlds big show.
Britain and Germany are the
leading customers, and consequently
Argentina in a very real sense is
closer to Europe than to North
America. Added to this are the
country's racial makeup and Euro
pean political ideologies finding root
in Argentina soil.
Every action taken by the Argen-
tine government, be it commercial,
cultural or political, is taken with
the ever-present fear that it might
result in the loss of some market.
Britain, which uses Argentine
meat and wheat, has trade agree
ment which comes up for revision
or extension this year.
Germany, which last year re-
placed the United States as Argen-
tinas second best customer, is seek
ing to extend the Reich barter sys-
tenn here.
The United States, which in 1888
gave Argentina an unfavorable trade
balance of about $42,30O,OOO, has
been deprived of large section of
the Argentine market in an effort of
the Buenos Aires government to
correct it.
Loss Would Be Disastrous.
Argentina herself, burdened by a
funded debt of about 81 900, 900 900
and an unsold wheat surplus of
nearly 200000,000 bushels, realizes
that the loss of either of the rival
British and German markets might
be about as disastrous as the guns
of a hostile fleet steaming up the
Rio Plata.
While this situation provides the
background for economic activity
here, 80 foreign radio stations train
their programs on Argentina. For
eign businessmen ponder day and
night how to increase their markets
here. And the Argentine himself,
realizing his position as a sought
after buyer, is continually on the
alert for signs of foreign political
activity.
This fear recently produced
charges that the German govern
ment not only was actively spread
ing propaganda throughout Argen-
tina, but was planning to annex
Patagonia, vast southern section of
the country.
Germany's financial interest in the
Argentine is a small matter COM
pared to that of Britain's. Her stake
is of different nature.
There are in this country more
than 100000 Germans whom the
Reich claims as citizens. Argentina,
however, refuses to recognize this
claim over persons Of German de-
scent born here.
Anti-Nazis assert Hitler holds a
directing hand over these people and
through them seeks to extend Ger
man culture and influence.
Action Against Nazis Limited.
Addressing the opening of the 10th
Congress Wednesday, May II, Pres
tdent Roberto M. Ortiz declared one
of Argentina's most urgent prob
lens was freeing domestic politics
from international ideologies and
tdolatries toward foreign political
chiefs"
But those best informed say any
attempt to shut out or halt Nazi
activities here will be tempered by
Argentina's fear of losing the Ger
man market for her wheat.
In addition to the Germans, Ar