Manoeuvres in Argentina
The situation in Argentina remains unsatisfactory and obscure. In that unsettled country it is the Army which at present has the last word in appointing governments, and there are several factions in the Army which follow different leaders and vary in the degree of their attachments to Nazi doctrines and extreme nationalism. General Farrell is the nominal head of the administration which has succeeded that of General Ramirez, though the power behind him appears to rest with Colonel Peron. The new group which has seized power is claiming that General Ramirez was not forcibly deposed, but " delegated " his Presidential powers to the Vice-President, General Farrell, from reasons of health. This not very plausible excuse for the coup d'itat is obviously advanced for foreign consumption, and if the United States Administration discovers on examination that it is as hollow as it appears to be, then recognition of the new Government will be withheld. In any case, who knows that General Farrell, in office today, will be there tomorrow? The Army is in restive mood, and its various cliques have various ideas as to which officer or groups of officers would best carry out their desires for an authoritarian government. The Navy, too, appears to have views of its own, if we may accept the report that naval officers have been visiting General Farrell and demanding the reinstatement of General Ramirez. In the meantime, behind these comings and goings of officers and armed men, are the people of Argentina, watch- ful, distrustful, but powerless.
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