Evening star., 1942-07-25
Argentine Neutrality

Unofficial but reliable reports are
coming out concerning the secret
session of the Argentine Chamber of
Deputies held just week ago, when
Foreign Minister Enrique Ruiz Gui-
nazu appeared before the lower
house of the Argentine Congress to
explain the Castillo governments
foreign policy.
The atmosphere of that session
was tense and sometimes stormy
one. The present Chamber is domi-
mated by a coalition of Radical and
Socialist deputies who frankly op-
pose the governments foreign policy.
This opposition has been virtually
overwhelmed by Castillo's proclama-
ton OF state of siege" under which
the press is forbidden even to pub
lish congressional debates on foreign
affairs. The House was further in
censed by the Foreign Minister'S re-
fusal to speak before it except in
secret session and with no steno-
graphic report OF the proceedings.
Before this predominantly critical
audience, the Foreign Minister spoke
in a manner which, according to
reliable information, throws frank
ly disturbing light on the so-called
neutral policy of the Castillo regime.
Ruiz Guinazu's attitude appears to
have been that of a man inspired by
resentment and suspicion against
the United States; detachment to-
ward the plight OF Britain, long
Argentina's chief customer, and
complacency toward the Axis pow
ers. He made it quite clear that
the Castillo government still thinks
in the traditional Argentine man
ner, which emphasizes economic
solidarity with Europe and opposes
the growth of United States infiu-
ence in Latin America.
The Foreign Minister is alleged to
have charged that the United States
is seeking to dominate the whole
Western Hemisphere; that it tried
to embroil Argentina with the Axis
by insisting that the Argentine Navy
convoy its merchant ships, with re-
sultant U-boat incidents; and that
the State Department held up sales
OF arms and equipment when that
demand was refused. Ruiz Guinazu
was also critical of other Latin
American nations, said to have been
described as "the herd" which
Washington was leading by the
nose" He proudly acclaimed his
governments Arm, virile stand" by
refusing to "join the chorus like
other Latin American republics"
whose action he criticized as disre-
garding the rules laid down for
Pan-American Consultation"
These are merely characteristic
high lights OF an address which, if
correctly reported, reveals the Cas-
tillo government as being emphatic
ally out OF step, not merely with the
United States but also with the great
majority of It's sister republics of
Latin America. 1t is only fair to add
that the Foreign Minister'S thesis
aroused vigorous dissent from the
opposition deputies, who are strong
ly for Pan-American cooperation
and severance of relations with
the Axis.
Nevertheless. the Castillo govern
ment, which determines Argentina S
foreign policy and apparently is able
to crush all effective opposition,
stands forth as the stubborn dis
senter in the Western Hemisphere.
So long as it remains in power, there
is seemingly little hope that Argen-
tina will adopt a friendly and CO.
operative attitude Those disagree
able facts should therefore be frank
ly faced, and the logical deductions
should be drawn.