Messersmith, G.S., Buenos Aires. To Sumner Welles, Palm Beach, Fla.
Date
1947-03-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Enclosure: See No. 1859. Only real solution to Argentine question until Secretary Marshall has time to look into whole matter fully is for Foreign Relations Committee to undertake investigation on its own initiative; is confident both House and Senate Committees want composition of situation; President and Secretary would probably be sensitive to independent investigation by Congressional Committees; still has hopes matter can be settled by Department, but Marshall must make decision; Spruille Braden has taken so definite a stand that he feels his prestige and position are involved and will not change his position no matter what the Argentine does to meet her obligations; he will only raise other questions concerning adequacy of Argentine compliance; so far Dean [Acheson] seems in accord with Braden; William L. Clayton is understanding of the situation, but he is tremendously occupied and probably has no time to concern himself actively; Argentina making every effort to round up the rest of those aliens on proscribed list, but Argentina a large country with many remote areas where one can lose himself; some have no doubt slipped across into Chile or Brazil and changed identities; others are under detention awaiting deportation; thinks when next group is deported U.S. should recognize that Argentina has done everything that can be expected and clear up situation; there will be those who will raise other questions, who will claim Argentina a Fascist state and a threat to the hemisphere; if not so convinced of importance of matter would resign, but resignation would carry significance to many at home and in other American republics and cannot take the risk; unfortunate visit of labor delegation and their report at home will cause trouble, and unnecessarily; delegation should never have come; enclosing copy of letter to Norman Littell covering aspects of labor delegation visit; press dispatch issued several days before report was published stated labor delegates were going to see Spruille Braden before they issued their report; that aroused old resentments and Argentine papers full of old Braden business which was best forgotten; notes with interest Welles' talk with Drew Pearson; has always felt Pearson free from bias, but it was just a matter of where he got his information; agrees with Welles, [Oswaldo] Aranha's presence in U.S. will be helpful; cannot delay action on Argentine situation much longer; they are doing all they can and they have humiliated themselves to a considerable degree, but there is a limit to time this will last.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.