Evening star., 1942-07-10
Argentina Stoys Neutral

The Argentine governments ac-
ceptance of Berlin's specious expla-
nation for the torpedoing of the
freighter Rio Tercero, coupled with
indirect acquiescence to the Axis
submarine blockade of our Atlantic
coast, indicates that President Cas-
tillo intends to persist in his policy
of neutrality Argentine merchant
ships are henceforth to be diverted
from their normal New York or other
East Coast runs to our Gulf ports,
which are not included in Berlin's
blockade decree.
An Argentine official spokesman
asserts that Germany offered to give
Argentine vessels permission to
penetrate the blockade zone, but
his government refused to accept
this special status" because it did
not wish to appear to be acting in
collusion with non-American
power. Theoretically, Argentina still
upholds its right to free navigation
of the high SEAS but has diverted its
ships to Gulf ports "as a measure OF
precaution." Berlin has informed
Buenos Aires that its submarine COM
manders will be more careful in the
future. And Argentine Foreign Min
lister Ruiz Guinazu announces that
the unpleasant incident is diplo-
matically closed.
Under these circumstances, Ar
gentina may be expected to con-
tinue its fence-sitting posture, giving
lip-service to the principle of pam
American solidarity-with "reserva-
tions," but maintaining diplomatic
relations with the Axis powers.
President Castillos hand has I'M
doubtedly been strengthened by the
formal resignation of President
Ortiz, which automatically gave
Castillo complete executive author
ity. Indeed, recent speech of the
President-in-full throws some
what dubious light on his previous
Addressing the army-navy dinner,
Castillo adopted a threatening tone
toward any persons who might try
to make the government change it's
foreign policy. Such persons he
characterized as professional agi-
tators and warmongers, and he ad-
vised all who wished to fight for
democracy" to quit the country and
go to one of the war fronts. Mean
while, it should be remembered that
the government still maintains its
"state of siege" decree, under which
public discussion of foreign affairs is
prohibited and the newspapers are
forbidden to publish, even without
comment, debates in the Argentine
Parliament. There is thus no way
of voicing publicly the dissatisfac-
ton of those who disapprove of the
governments foreign policy.
Another thing that should be kept
in mind is that President Castillo is
not acting merely on his own per-
sonal opinion. His views are gen.
orally shared by the big landowners
and export interests whom he faith
fully represents. In the congress
sional elections some months ago,
his policies were upheld by the prov
inces, where the wheat, corn and
cattle barons hold political sway BY
contrast, metropolitan Buenos Aires
voted strongly for the opposition
parties, which together control the
lower house
Argentina thus remains the out
standing rift in the lutte of pan
American harmony. Perhaps cir
cumstances may ultimately bring
about change U-boat commanders
may commit new outrages against
Argentine shipping. Economic pres
sure may disrupt Argentine domestic
well-being Public opinion may swing
predominantly against Castillo's for
eign policy and compel him to mod
ify it. Yet, for the moment, facts
must be faced