ABSTRACT
Brazil, moreover, enjoying a favorable balance of trade with Argentina, was receptive even to a demand for precious rubber. Insisting that rubber was as "vital to them as water," the Argentines requested immediate delivery to avoid a complete breakdown of the nation's transportation system. Only weeks before the coup in La Paz, Norman Armour had insinuated to Washington that Argentina was attempting to create a bloc of South American countries antagonistic to interests of the United States. The Brazilian ambassador, with more cunning than candor, opened the conversation by playing on the secretary of state's well-known displeasure with Argentina. The Argentine had served in Washington at the same time as Aranha, thus encouraging the Brazilian to believe their knowledge of each other would help to alleviate misunderstandings. Espil, recalled in October 1943, a mere four weeks after Storni's ouster, had been Argentine ambassador to the United States for twelve long years.
