Evening star., 1942-07-27
Failure Of Argentina
To Act Against Axis
CooIsU. 5. Relations
Clash Over Policies at
Recent Buenos Aires
Session Disclosed
ey tie Associated Press.

BUENOS AIRES, July 27.-Al-
though 1t Is now six months since
Argentina and other American ma
tions signed the Rio accord recon-
mending . severance of diplomatic
relations with the Axis, this ma
tions' foreign policy is the same rs
before that conference and there is
no indication that 1t will change.
If anything. Argentine United
States relations visibly have cooled,
while Argentine Axis relations re-
main about on the same basis,
despite the Axis torpedoeing of
three Argentine ships.
With the aid of state of siege
which handlly muzzles press and
public comment on the belligerent
issues DOW sweeping the world
PresidenJ Ramon S. Castillo's policy
of prudence or isolationsim, still
prevails.
Argentina rulers lend an ear to
the Radicals liberals. Socialists
and other pro-democratic bodies
demanding closer collaboration with
the Uriteu States and a diplomatic
rupture with the Axis. But these
groups say the ofiicial ear is a deaf
one.
Secret Session Held.
Foreign Minister Enrique Ruiz
Guinazu. who held out for the
Recommended" cut with the Axis
at Rio, ip,tead of the immediate
action favored by a majority of
the pail American nations, recent
" attended a congressional inter-
pellation.
The session was secret, but what
available information leaked out
made 1t clear that the Castillo gov
vernment does not intend to initiate
any break with the Axis.
CRehable information on that
secret session told of, official
Argentine suspicion of and re-
sentiment against the United
States, part Of which is founded
on the failure of an Argentine
military mission to purchase
arms In the United States.)
Argentina has been hit heavily by
the war. Her international trade
was pegged to a European market,
and consequently has declined. She
lacks ships, too. Living costs are
rising, and vital necessities are be-
coming scarce.
These factors make her foreign
policy q dominant political issue,
but no presidential election is due
until November. 1943.
Two Candidates Appear.
However, two candidates for
Castillo's ofiice already have ap-
peared. They are former president,
Gen. Augustin Justo, who favors
closer ties with the United States,
and Minister of Justice Guillermo
Rothe, who is said to be President
Castillo's choice.
Others who have been mentioned
as candidates include Rodolfo Mo-
reno, the conservative governor of
Buenos Aires Province and former
Ambassador to Japan; Carlos
6aavedra Lainas, former foreign
minister; Alfredo Palacios, a social
ist senator, and Tomas lie Breton,
former Ambassador to London and
Washington.
The Radicals and Socialists appar-
emily clashed with Ruiz Guinazu
during the recent secret session, but
to no avail.
Repercussions from that meeting
Included one-day governmental
suspension of the Buenos Aires Her.
aid. English language paper, for
having printed purported comment
by Ruiz Guinazu.
This was done under President
Castillo's state of siege" The gov
eminent also seized all copies of
book, 'Mineneld," written by Adolfo
Lanus, former deputy. The book
was highly critical Of President Cas-
tillo's foreign policy, and its confis-
cation was another example of the
state of siege, which opposition
deputies constantly have attacked as
being unconstitutional.
Heads Press Club.
LAnus announced he would have
the book published and circulated
outside Argentina. Newspapermen
here also showed their support of
Lanus by promptly electing him
president OF the Buenos Aires Press
Club.
In its efforts to remain firmly
detached from the war, the Castillo
government has accepted Germany's
view that the Axis submarine torpe-
doings Of three Argentine ships
were mistakes" It also accepted,
with scarcely q murmur, Germany's
refusal to make a courteous gesture
to the Argentine flag. and the gov
ernment also recognized Germany's
so-called blockade of the Eastern
United States seaboard by banning
Argentine ships from American At
lantic ports.
One Of Argentina's ships, the Vic
toria, was towed into a United States
port after being torpedoed in the
Atlantic. Later the United States
Government decided to take over