Totalitarian Argentina
The Argentine Government is slipping fast down the slope of totalitarianism, and the pro-Nazi leanings which have been scarcely disguised are now manifest in actions which throw democratic pretensions to the winds. Its latest Press decree is \nothing less than complete abolition of the freedom of the Press. The Article which prescribes what may not be published extends the ban so widely that there is nothing which might not come under it. Any news which is " totally or partly false or misleading " is forbidden, as is " everything contrary to the general interest of the nation." A special register is instituted for journalists, and any journalist may be struck off it who pursues " activities contrary to the general interest." Authors, editors and proprietors are jointly responsible for what is -published, and action may be taken against all or any of them. Thus the Government has taken measures to stamp out all free comment, to suppress news not favourable to itself, and to ensure that there shall be no Press in Argentina which is in any degree unfavourable to itself. This is despotism within its own
borders ; but the general policy and attitude of the Argentine GoVernment is, as has been pointed out at Washington, such that it cannot be a matter of indifference to other countries. Nazi spies are still trusted in Argentina. Its diplomacy has almost certainly been at work in the plot which led to the coup d'etat in Bolivia, and is endeavouring to extend its influence in other South American States. It is disconcerting that at a time when one can foresee the end of the Nazi regime in Germany the infection it has spread should become more virulent in South America.
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