Evening star., 1947-09-08
New Argentine Policy
OF u. ). Credited with
Rio ParIey's Success
Rockefeller, Messersmith
Brought About Change
In American Policy
Bp David Laurence

By David Laurence
Somehow or another they do not
pin medals on men who achieve
for their country some Of its most
substantial successes.
Everybody, for example, is happy
In Washington nowadays over the
new inter American treaty. 1t is
hailed as q great example Of pan
American solidarity. 1t is an ex-
ample to all the world. No one ma
ton exercised veto. 1t was all
done by unanimous agreement.
Yet this magnificent result could
not have been attained if good
relations had not been restored with
Argentina.
The one country that could have
upset the applicant was Argentina.
without Argentina, there really
would never have been treaty or
even a meeting at Rio. This was
recognized on all sides and the
meeting at Rio was deferred again
and again until relations with Ar
gentina were ironed out.
Had 1t not been for the inde-
fatigable work of Nelson Rookie
feller, when he was Assistant Sec
retary Of State. and George Messer-
smith, when he became American
Ambassador to Argentina. today's
applause for the Rio treaty would
never have been heard because
there would have been no such
agreement.
Roosevelt Approved Policy.
President Roosevelt was farsight-
ed when, early in 1945, he accepted
and initiated q memorandum from
MIR. Rockefeller recommending that
Argentina be invited to the meeting
at Chapultepec and that she be
given an opportunity to join the
United Nations.
It was at Chapultepec that the
foundation for the Rio agreement
was laid by the then Senator War
rem Austin Of Vermont. 1t was at
San Francisco that Mr.. Rockefeller
carried out the wishes of Mr.. Roose-
velt in making the fight for ad-
mission of Argentina to the United
Nations.
Had Argentina been excluded, the
other in-American nations would
have been resentful and the entire
American relationship would
have been imperilled. Mr.. Rookie
feller was bitterly criticized by the
left wing" press, which did not
know he was operating under in
structions covered in memoran-
dunn approved by Mr.. Roosevelt
lust q few weeks before he died.
The memorandum never was made
public.
When Secretary Byrnss came into
office, the campaign against MIR.
Rockefeller, on the ground that he
was "appeastng" Argentina, had
reached extensive proportions
Suut1le Braden, who had served as
Ambassador In Buenos Aires, was
appointed Assistant Secretary of
state when Mr.. Rockefeller re-
signed.
Messersmith Appointe6.
Shortly afterward, when Juan
D. Peron was elected constitution
ally, influential Senators on Capitol
Hill began to point out to President
Truman that the United States
policy was harmful to the future
of Pan American relationships.
Senator vandenberg Is known to
have criticized the policy as likely
to create long enduring antago-
nisras.
Mr. Truman finally saw the d-
lemma clearly and appointed
George Messers,nith TO go to Ar
gentins to clear up relations with
ths Peron government. That Job
was done with superb tact and with
an effectiveness rarely excelled in
modern diplomacy.
After several months, Mr.. Messer-
smith almost singlehanded brought
about such a relationship with Ar
gentina that, when he left Buenos
Aires, 1ICSluCllO Z Cl Oll NdS GilCd q w
say farewell and he was given a
public demonstration Of the esteem
in which Argentina held him. Mr.
Messersmith resigned on his return
here, a. he had long desired to re-
tire from the diplomatic service.
But no public mention was made Of
his greatest achievement-laying the
groundwork at Buenos Aires for
Argentina's cooperation with the
United States at Rio.
Here Is an example of large and
powerful country like the United
States daring to be fair and equit-
able In relations with a smaller
country despite outcries of "appease-
ment." The Peron government has
much TO do before 1t can win whole
hearted approval. 1t is still violat-
ing civil liberties and press freedom
in certain important respects. But
the chances of a freer Argentina
emerging now are better than they
possibly could have been under a
policy of continued friction with the
United States and intervention by
this country In Argentina's internal
affairs.
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