Evening star., 1943-09-08
United States Refuses
Arms 10 Argentina;
Cites lis Axis Ties
Changed Romirez Policy
Believed Possible Result
OF Americun Action

~N~ SSShbfS N@SNt
OF American Action
Changes in Argentina's war
time foreign policy in direc-
tion more pleasing and helpful to
the Allies we're looked for today
after the United States Govern
nent, in a firm note, turned down
the Argentine request for Amer
lean arms and other war ma
terial on lease-lend.
Secretary of State Hull, in a letter
released at the State Department
here and by the government of
Gen. Pedro Ramirez in Buenos Aires.
based his refusal to consider lease
lend aid for Argentina on the failure
of Gen. Ramirez to fulfill commit
ments made at the Rio de Janeiro
conference of 1912 to break relations
with the Axis and to sever all
financial and commercial dealings
with Axis countries.
Fear Brazilian Power.
Apprehension lest Brazil, an Allied
belligerent which is being armed by
the United States, obtain a military
superiority in South America that
would far overshadow the Argentine
strength was believed to be a chief
factor in the Argentine request for
iease-lend aid. The request was sub
mitted to the State Department Au-
gust S in a letter to Mr.. Hull from
Foreign Minister Segundo Storm.
Lease LEND, however, is not used
as an instrument for maintaining
international balances of military
power. Mr.. Hull, on August 80,
made three points in his refusal:
l. Only Argentina, of the 81
American republics t13 of whom
have declared war;, has not broken
relations with the Axis, nor has it
severed financial and commercial re-
lations, and as a result has au-
thorized financial transactions bene-
ficial to the enemies of the United
Nations.
Axis Agents Active.
2. Axis agents continue to engage
In espionage activities in Argentina
which cost United Nations ships and
lives. They spread Axis propaganda,
and their publications receive sup
plies of newsprint at favorable prices
through the intervention of the Ar
kentine Ministry of Agriculture.
8. Argentina is the only American
republic still maintaining RADIO
telephone and radiotelegraph COM
munications with Japan, Germany
and Italy.
All these, said Mr.. Hull, were con-
trary to inter-American agreements
to which Argentina had fully sub
scribed at Havana and Rio de Ja-
metro.
Admiral Storm, in arguing that
Argentina was pro-Allied, called at
tention to exclusive operation of
Argentine shipping In the Allied in
terest, to the status of nom
belligerency granted to the United
States and to the cutting of Axis
secret communications from Argen-
tina.
Explains Policy.
The government in Buenos Aires
is evidently benevolent" Admiral
Storm said. He stressed two points
In justifying his governments fail
ure to break off with the Axis:
l. sour country was not ready for
It,,
2. Let it suffice to recall the
Judgment which Italy merited when,
In a similar situation, it took its
position against defeated France"
These arguments made no impress
sion on the United States. Mr.. Hull
showed the letter to President
Roosevelt. His reply said:
1T is notorious that Axis agents
In Argentina have been and are en-
gaging in systematic espionage
which has cost the United Nations
ships and lives.
Vicious propaganda aimed at the
United Nations appears in publica-
tions which are supported by sub
sides from Axis sources. These
publications have benefited by a
government decree which enables
them to receive supplies of news
print at favorable prices through
the intervention of the Argentine
Minister of Agriculture.
No Support Foreseen.
The rundown of Argentina's re-
quest for planes, spare parts and
other material came in these words:
Since Argentina, both by its
words and its actions, has indicated
clearly that the Argentina armed
forces will not under present con-
ditions be used in a manner de-
signed TO forward the cause of the
security of the New World, and
thereby the vital war interests of
the United States, it would be i'm
possible for the President of the
United States to enter into an
agreement to furnish arms and
munitions to Argentina under the
Lend-Lease Act"
Admiral Storm complained that
@the situation of neutrality that the
Argentine Republic has had to OBJ
serve up to now has not been un-
derstood."
Mr.. Hull responded that the Ar
eentine's favors to the Axis are re-
sponsible for the lack of under
standing.
Admiral Storm denied the rumor
he said existed which charged Gen.
Eamirez-who took office June 4
In a coup-with having "a markedly
totalitarian theology" or that we
look upon the Axis powers with
great sympat thy"