The Returns

Strong Man Juan Domingo Peron, the soldier-opportunist who yearned to be President-Dictator, had tried everything: the trappings and struttings of Fascism, anti-U.S. nationalism, an anti-Communist witch hunt. He had promised the moon to the Argentine working man, the same moon to Argentine industrialists. He had made gestures toward U.S. democracy, and had hinted at lining up (if worst came to worst) with the U.S.S.R. By last week's end, the returns were pouring in and they were not pleasant reading for Colonel Peron.

His country was in an uproar. Only the soldiers and cops seemed to be still loyal to the strong man. Two key members of the Cabinet quit. Even President Edelmiro Farrell, disgusted with puppet doodling, was reportedly threatening to resign.

Beyond the Borders. To Buenos Aires from Montevideo flocked some of Argentina's most important political exiles. Cheering crowds met them at the dock; so did police armed with sabers. In the capital, students went out on strike --while their sympathetic teachers resigned or were fired in droves.

Then from faraway Boston came a body blow. Nelson Rockefeller, the conciliatory U.S. Assistant Secretary of State in charge of Latin American affairs, stood up at a Pan-American dinner and denounced Argentina as "the black sheep" of the hemi sphere family.

Unaltered Thorn. Argentina's Government, said Rockefeller, had not kept the promises it made before admission to the San Francisco Conference. Axis-owned firms were still only loosely controlled. Fugitive Axis nationals and funds had not been hunted down. The Government ruled by naked force, with no elections in sight. Rockefeller's prescription for the Argentine people: kick out the militarists.

Rockefeller's resignation, announced the next day (see NATIONAL AFFAIRS), was no better news. His successor, Spruille Braden, U.S. Ambassador to Argentina, had been the thorniest thorn in the side of Peron & Co. Said he on taking over his new job: "My policy respecting Argentine and U.S. relations will not alter in the slightest. On the contrary, the larger opportunities of my new post will make my efforts even more effective."

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