Evening star., 1951-09-29
Navy Minister Quits
After Peron Reports
Assassination Plot
BY the Assoei1ied Press

BY the Assoeiaied Press
BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 90
President Peron announced today
the resignation of his Minister OF
the Navy. This came less than "a
hours after Gen. Peron told the
nation he had put down a revolt
aimed at the assassination of him
and his wife.
Gen. Peron's press Office said
Admiral Enrique B, Garcica had
resigned as Minister of the Navy.
(The brief dispatch from Buenos
Aires gave no reason for the resig-
nation There was no indication
of whether a possible shakeup in
the government was involved. Dis
patches from Buenos Aires are
subject to censorship
Pledge Stern Punishment.
Gen. Peron told the nation last
night he planned rough treat
ment for TRAITORS and unworthy
military leaders" he accuses OF
plotting against him and his wife
Congress has passed a law or
dering execution of armed forces
officers whom the state radio says
started a civil war yesterday. It
also approved a law allowing the
administration to order changes
of any kind for military officers.
both on active service or in re-
tirement. The government radio
earlier had proclaimed a state of
siege-modif1ed martial law.
Government communicates
named two retired generals, Ben
jamin Menendez and Arturo Raw
son, as leaders of an officially
labeled "harebrained revolt"
Revolt Termed Failure.
The exciting day started with
planes flying low over Buenos
Aires Friday morning and drop
ping leaflets calling for revolution.
1t ended with no shootings re-
ported. A few fist fights were the
only sign of violence in the capital.
The government radio pro-
claimed at 11:10 am. that civil
war had broken out. Then at
1857 pm. the radio announced
failure of the revolt.
The announcement of a revolt
came as campaigning got hotter
for the November IL presidential
election. Gen. Peron is a candi-
date for another six-year term.
Gen. Menendez is said to be
under arrest along with a number
of army and air force officers. But
late last night. the Ministers OF
Interior and Army said there was
mo information that Gen. Rawsor
lis implicated.
Helped Elevate Peron.
Gen. Rawson was one of the
leaders of the 1943 coup that de.
posed President Ramon Castillo
and paved the way for Gen
Peron's rise to power, He served
as president for two days at that
time In 1945, Gen. Rawson spent
six months in prison on a charge
of being involved in a revolt.
The radio also said Alfredo
Palacios. Socialist candidate fol
president. had been arrested.
A clear picture of yesterday.
excitement is lacking, but this
army ministry said military pro.
Iceedings have started against the
men it called leaders of the op.
position.
A communique said Gen. Men.
endez led some officers, relative.
and friends into the cavalry schoo
and tank regiment in the big
Compo de Mayo military garrison
on the outskirts of Buenos Aires
The communique said several
planes from air force and nava!
air force bases flew over the CAPT.
tai dumping leaflets. These move
ments, the ministry said, were put
down quickly and peace has been
restored throughout the country
Eight Planes Land in Uruguay.
dispatches from Montevideo,
Uruguay-across the Plata River
from Buenos Aires-said eight
Argentine military planes land
ed last night. The exact num-
ber OF Argentines entering the
country was not disclosed-one
estimate said 50-but they were
identified as revolutionists. All
were interned by Uruguay.
In Washington officials in
touch with the Latin-American
situation indicated there was a
possibility Gen. Peron delib-
erately staged the incident to
reap votes in November.)
Gen. Peron's master labor Or
ganization, the General Confed-
GRAFTON of Labor, called a general
strike in his support when TIE
announcement of civil war was
made.
Last night Gen. Peron asked the
crowd of workers gathered under
the balcony of the Casa Rosada,
the presidential palace, to go back
to their jobs. The strike ended
at midnight.