Evening star., 1943-07-22
BY ALLEN HADEN.
Correspondent of The Star and the
Chicago Daily News,

wait-and-see attitude maintained
by Argentines and foreigners alike
concerning the Ramirez govern
ment in Argentina has given way
now to the bitter realization that
this second largest South American
country, outwardly the most adult
and on the verge of becoming a
power in the world, is due for tight
Fascist dictatorship at precisely the
moment when Fascism is being de-
stroyed on its home grounds through
guns, bombs and blood.
That the Ramirez government
will break diplomatic relations with
the Axis powers is becoming ac-
| cepted as a foregone conclusion.
But this means less than it seems.
Buenos Aires is rife with rumors.
| The most widespread is that a break
with Japan will be made with the
hope that thereupon Germany and
Italy, in sympathy with their little
yellow brothers, will break with Ar
| gentina, thus relieving its govern
ment of responsibility for the ac-
ton. When the break will come is
not yet known.
Clandestine Paper Appears.
A corollary of dictatorship al
ready has appeared. A clandestine
Communist paper called Unidad
Nacional has reached many hands
during the last few days. It has
published the names of SO political
prisoners. Yet an established gov
ernment press and propaganda Of
fee with more power, applying
stricter control, is expected at any
time.
1t is becoming apparent that the
early intentions of the June 4 revo-
lutionists have been altered and
that Fascist elements are daily &C
quiring more power within the Ra-
mirez government. A revealing de-
tail indicates how an effort is being
made to save appearances.
A recent presidential communique
on the closing of three humanitari-
an, Allied organizations and a
labor union was hastily withdrawn
when it was realized that this ac-
ton would be interpreted abroad as
anti-A1lied. To balance matters, the
Nazi Cultural and Benevolent As
sociation, long ago marked by con-
gressional investigation as the CEN
ter of Nazi espionage, hurriedly was
given 48 hours to close up shop
When pro-Allied groups were closed
the police only gave their officers
and employees time to seize their
hats and coats.
Hopes for Financial Aid.
Yet a formal break with the Axis
Or part of it-can be expected, to
fulfill the controlling reason for the
June resolution. Argentina lacks
| armaments and hopes, by an Axis
break, to get on the gilded United
States list of lease-lend recipients
Its neighbors furnish the incentive.
On July 9, Argentine 1ndepend-
ence Day, despite 2,000-foot cell
ing, Argentine Army planes failed
to take their usual role Of flying
over the parading troops, on the
plea of bad weather. It is probably
significant that four Uruguayan
planes in Buenos Aires were invited
to take part in the air show. These
North American advanced trainers,
lease-lent to Uruguay. are conceded
to be faster than Argentine pursuits.
The flaw in the reasoning of the
army officers now running the coun-
try is that shadow-playing at for
NAL breaking of relations with the
Axis will deceive Allied opinion and
obtain ornaments. However, it is
abundantly clear that break in re-
lations would be useless unless made
effective. No steps yet taken evil
dence that theological cleanup with
in Argentina which must take place
before effective action is possible.
Ak Applied to Newspapers.
Tight and ever tightening press
and radio censorship Ian oficial
daily broadcast is now obligatory on
all stations) bellies the early expec-
tation that the Castillo govern
ment's rule would be relaxed In IA
vor of the people. Since the press
is overwhelmingly pro-A,ly. the CEN
sorship works principally against
them. Beginning with La Hora and
orientacion, the Communist daily
and weekly, respectively. La France
Nouvelle, the weekly paper OF the
Free French, and Argentina Libre. a
valiant literary political weekly, got
the Ax last week.
Meanwhile, Calildo and El Pam
pero, obstreperous Na1-Facist dali
les TO say nothing OF other nation
alist papers, continue publishing
with impmity. The Nad "line.
camouflaged as neutrality, adopted
by these papers under the Castillo
government, Is clarioned as loudly
as ever.
The conclusion is inescapable thai
q generally pro-Allied and demo-
cratic position Of Pan-American
solidarity would cause the lifting oi