Messersmith, G.S., Buenos Aires. To James F. Byrnes, Washington.
Date
1946-10-30
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Tendency evident on part of U.S. press to refer to Argentine Government as totalitarian, Fascist, and Nazi; the "5-year plan" and "directed economy" are interpreted as a slap at private enterprize; has been in Argentina five months and has had many conversations with Perón; he is very intelligent, and so far seems well intentioned and sincere; he has declared he intends to govern constitutionally and that he desires to collaborate fully with U.S. and the other American countries; nothing his government has done so far indicates anything to the contrary; some of the economic measures, such as export controls, seem unwise, but Perón insists they are only temporary and will be removed as soon as possible; his "5-year plan", he says, is only a departure point; it is not inflexible, and includes governmental and social reforms as well as economic reforms; Britain has gone much further than Argentina toward a "directed economy," but little is said of it; Perón has declared that there will be no expropriation of private property, either domestic or foreign, but private enterprize would be encouraged and protected; U.S. would be making great mistake to allow prejudice and past ill feeling stand in way of resuming normal relations with Argentina.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.