Ext 6116/46(S) 'Secret Weekly Political Intelligence Summaries, nos 356-416, August 1946-November 1947' [‎172v] (350/978)

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have a clear majority in the new one. The
holding of elections for a Congress which
is not to meet for more than a year has been
approved as legally correct by the Supreme
Electoral Tribunal, but it is generally
accepted that the real point, in the event
of an extraordinary Congress being called
in the meantime, is to ensure that the last
Conservative-dominated Assembly shall not
be allowed to reassemble.
The Presidential Election is due to be
held next year, though no candidates have
been so far nominated. The most likely
appear to be Senor Galo Plaza, ex-Ambas-
sador to Washington, a man of great
popularity with all classes, and persona
grata with the United States, and Dr. Jose
Trujillo, at present Minister for Foreign
Affairs, who was Democratic-Liberal can
didate for presidential office in 1936.
Dominican Republic
Nothing more has been heard regarding
the movements of the fleet which was
reported to be on the way from Cuba to
invade the Dominican Republic (see Sum
mary No. 403). Broadcast messages again
quote the Dominican Ambassador in
Washington, as announcing that his
country’s army had been called upon to
repel an invasion by Dominican revolu
tionaries, who, according to an Embassy
spokesman, had started on the night of the
31st July from Antilla. Broadcast reports
from Port-au-Prince state that many people
were entering Haiti from the Dominican
Republic, where a virtual state of war
existed; Cuban official circles denied any
knowledge of a revolutionary force in Cuba,
and Dominican emigres in Mexico City
attribute Santo Domingo reports to a
manoeuvre by President Trujillo to distra$K
attention from the approaching Congres
sional elections. The President himself has
told His Majesty’s Representative that he
has evidence that Cuban sugar interests are
behind the plot. Whatever the facts, it
may be noted that the Dominican Govern
ment have enquired of the British Minister
in Ciudad Trujillo whether, in view of the
threatened invasion, they can purchase
arms for their corvettes.
Paraguay
Events in the Paraguayan Civil War
have moved swiftly during the last two
weeks. The Government claim to have
captured Concepcion seems to have been
true, but, so far from the rebels having fled
towards the Brazilian frontier, as was also
claimed, it appears that they moved the
bulk of their forces aboard their river craft,
and left the Government troops to enter a
deserted city, while they made tracks post
haste in the direction of Asuncion. Latest
reports are that they are now moving in to
the capital, which the Government has
evacuated for Pilar, some 190 miles to the
south. Argentine warships are available
for the removal to Argentine territory of
such diplomatic families as desire to leave
Concepcion.
THE UNITED NATIONS
Security Council
M ember ship
The Membership Committee held its last
two meetings on the 6th and 8th August
and has now submitted its report to the
Security Council. No applicant escaped
open opposition except the Yemen. Russia
opposed Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan , Eire and Portugal,
and defended the Governments of Bul
garia, the most recent applicant for
membership, Roumania and Hungary,
though she was not in favour of their ad
mission before the peace treaties had
entered into force. Poland tried to make
Portugal’s admission depend upon her
Government’s acceptance of present and
future Assembly policy towards General
Franco’s Spain. Her suggestion was
defeated by 10 votes to 1, even M. Gromyko
voting against her, though on the ground
that the Portuguese Government could not
be reformed by a simple enquiry. A remark
by the Soviet representative on the Mem
bership Committee to the effect that the
views expressed by him on behalf of his
Government were final would appear to
make the prospects of Eire, Portugal and
Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan somewhat dim. Their
chances cannot, however, be definitely
assessed until the report of the Member
ship Committee has been considered by the
Security Council. But it is clear already
that M. Gromyko’s will be the decisive vote.
The U.K. delegate made it clear that Bul
garia. Roumania and Hungary would have
to give solid proof of their intention to
carry out the Human Rights clauses of the
Treaties, before H.M.G. could support
their applications, and Bulgaria would in
addition have to give up her intervention
in Greece. His Government would sup
port Italy if the treaty were ratified in
time. If a vote were taken on Austria, he