VAST PROPERTY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 235, 1 July 1944, Page 7

VAST PROPERTY

Seizure By Argentine Government ALLEGED INHERITANCE TAXES FRAUD (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received Juno 30, 9.25 p.m.) NEW YORK. June 29. The Argentine Government has seized Hie vast Bcmberg property, one of the largest privately-owned fortunes in South America and one of the great family fortunes of the world, whose holdings in the Argentine alone are estimated at 1000 million dollars. Nationalist newspapers explained that the seizure was part of .the Government investigation into alleged inheritance taxes fraud. However, observers point out that the military Government, which is committed to a total war defence programme, requires large sums for armament. The State Department in Washington has published the text of a recent speech by the Argentine Minister of War, Colonel Peron, asserting: “It makes no difference to Argentina who wins the war,” adding, “If Argentina cannot achieve its political objectives diplomatically, it must undertake to prepare the best conditions for achieving them forcibly. For this reason Argentina must build up a powerful heavy industry with Governmental aid.”

According to the Associated Press of America, the speech aroused more intense interest among Washington officials than any other recent South American announcement. Those in informed, quarters linked the speech with the recalling of.the United States Ambassador to Argentina, Mr. Norman Armour, and added that other American moves are reported to be under consideration. The State Department announced that Mr. Armour had been ordered to returnto Washington for consultation. An official of the State Department said it was only logical that he should be recalled when the whole course of Argentine relations was under discussion with other American Governments. The correspondent of the American Associated Press says that Mr. Armour’s recall is regarded as a deterioration in United States-Argentine diplomacy. The Argentine Ambassador announced that Argentina ami Germany had completed reciprocal arrangements for the repatriation of diplomats and other officials. An exchange ship will sail under safe conduct guarantees from Argentina between July 6 and 12 for Lisbon, where the exchange will be effected.