Ext 6116/46(S) 'Secret Weekly Political Intelligence Summaries, nos 356-416, August 1946-November 1947' [‎71r] (141/978)

23
maintained by all members of the Common
wealth were removed. This is most un
likely to happen at all before 1951; and
thereafter only to an appreciable extent if
the United Kingdom’s balance of payments
difficulties improve more than now seems
i«|obable.
As far as preferences are concerned, the
total concessions that the United Kingdom
would be making as a result of bargaining
with all the other nations at Geneva would
only amount to eliminations of 3 per cent,
and to reductions of 28 per cent, (most of
which would not hurt) of all the prefer
ences which this country enjoys in the
Commonwealth and Empire. Nevertheless
there are clearly serious political as well
as economic difficulties involved.
LATIN AMERICA
Economic Commission for Latin America
The Chilean proposal for establishing
under the aegis of the United Nations an
Economic Commission for Latin America
has now resulted in eighteen Latin
American nations sending telegrams to the
Secretary-General, Mr. Trygve Lie, ex
pressing their support. Altogether forty
nations now support the proposal, including
the generality of Middle and Far Eastern
countries. The United States has so far
hesitated to add its blessing on the ground
that the Inter-American Economic and
Social Council provides appropriate
machinery. In view of the considerable
backing for the Chilean proposal, however,
it seems probable that the Lmited States
will no longer hold back. (See Summary
No. 405.)
Argentina
The news of the winding-up of the
Argentine Trade Promotion Institute
(I.A.P.I.) has now been made public in a
communique by Senor Miranda (see
Summary No. 409). This took the form of
a refutation of rumours of negotiations for
a foreign loan and of impending heavy
foreign purchases by I.A.P.I., “ since the
Government’s intention to return business
to private enterprise was well-known.” In
point of fact the only previous references
to a change of policy seem to have been some
vague observations by President Peron in
addressing members of the Stock Exchange;
these observations were not published. The
disappearance of I.A.P.I. will doubtless
do something to appease those who criticise
the currupt creations of the present regime.
At the same time the method of announce
ment enables Senor Miranda to save the
greatest possible amount of face.
Dominican Republic
Since the beginning of the year rumours
have been reported from time to time of a
military expedition or expeditions against
one or other of the Caribbean Republics.
The Dominican Government declared that
they were the object of a mysterious plot
(see Summary No. 403). It is now reported
that the Cuban army and navy have seized
800 men, 2 transports, and 11 aeroplanes,
which had been made ready for an attack
on the Dominican Republic. There is still
no news of the source of this conspiracy,
nor of the arms and personnel concerned.
The State Department have, however,
issued a statement expressing gratification
at the ending of this threat to peace in the
Caribbean and explaining that since
January ‘ ‘ scrupulous watch had been kept
in an effort to prevent the illegal export
of war material for the purpose of revolu
tionary activities.” In view of this it is
rather surprising that the expedition,
which the Cuban Government have pounced
upon, though not very formidable, should
have contrived to escape attention.
Peru
The present Peruvian cabinet has
pressed forward the investigation of the
murder of Seftor Grana (see Summary No.
406) and, as a result, Senor Alfredo Tello,
an Aprista deputy and leader of the party
toughs (Comite de Defensa) has been placed
under arrest, together with several col
leagues. The credit of the party has not
been improved by a palpable attempt to put
forward false evidence.
Since the circumstances reported in
Summary No. 406 political life is prac
tically suspended, and the Apristas have
devoted themselves to organizing industrial
disturbances. An attempt to call a general
strike in Lima resulted in a partial stop
page and the closure of many shops for fear
of rioting. After four days of strikes,
during which the Apristas tried to bring
the unions out and the Communists to keep
them in, President Bustamente declared
the strike illegal and announced a “ state
of siege.” On the following day the
strike-leaders gave out that the dispute
had been settled before the President’s
speech.