ARGENTINA
President Pedro Ramirez' tight little military oligarchy disbanded 13 civilian organizations last week. One was a United Nations bandage-wrapping society, another a German culture club, still another a youth movement that hated both Nazis and Communists but loved the British.
The people of Argentina were getting the idea. As civilians they were to do nothing to show favor toward either side in the war—not even talk. And with the idea came a growing realization that Ramirez and his clique of generals and admirals* were remodeling Argentina along well-tested totalitarian lines. In six weeks the Government had:
> Dissolved Congress;
> Called off the September Presidential election;
> Banned political meetings;
> Cut the word "provisional" from the term "provisional government";
> Appointed new governors to all states;
> Taken control of radio broadcasting, transportation services, financial and commercial associations, food distribution organizations, civil aviation and some textile mills.
Now it was unlawful for the women of the Junta de la Victoria to meet and knit sweaters. The General Confederation of Labor (150,000 members), Argentine equivalent of the A.F. of L., was disbanded. Charge: "Communist infiltration."
Although Ramirez said, upon assuming control, that he would give the government back to the politicians when it was cleaned up, that day seemed more remote than it had a month ago. To offset discontent over restrictions on freedom of speech, assembly and press, the Government rolled back rents, set certain price ceilings and exposed some graft in the deposed Castillo regime.
As for neutrality, the Ramirez government sat tight.