835.00/1781: Telegram
The Chargé in Argentina (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 9—3 a.m.]
2071. Embassy’s No. 2063.51 Final edition of Noticias Gráficas confiscated and paper suspended indefinitely for forthright editorial today. Tucuman newspaper La Unión closed for 2 days by federal interventor for nature of headline comment especially one reading “sharp reply of Cordell Hull: he makes charges.” Other provincial papers including La Voz del Interior of Córdoba and El Diario of Paraná are known to have been warned not to comment on exchange of notes. Foregoing measures taken against press despite assurances given by Chief of Press Office of the Presidency earlier today that it was free to comment on this subject. It is also confirmed that message was sent to all interventors by Ministry of the Interior advising them that newspapers had been authorized to publish exchange of letters and to comment thereon. Apparently, however, it was intended to be understood that the comment be not critical.
Publicity given this subject is overshadowed in evening papers by news of Italian capitulation.
[Page 461]Embassy’s No. 2061, September 8, 6 p.m.52 According to Argentine press source Storni told correspondents this evening that in view of situation created by publication of exchange of correspondence and fall of Italy there was now no possibility of severance of relations with Axis countries. Rumors continue to circulate that Governmental changes are impending, hastened by foregoing developments.