◆ SpookStack

” “ratte; A rumor was circulated to a rather large extent among social and diplomatic circles that Mr. WALLACE had made the statement that his main purpose in coming to Peru was in order to know and talk with VICTOR HAYA DE LA TORRE. The Peruvians consider such a statement to be an insult to their country and the present government. It has not been possible to ascertain the source of this rumor, but it may have been started by Axis nationals desirous of injuring inter-American relations. On the other hand, it might have originated with members of the Aprista Party. It was also rumored at this time that Mr. WALLACE is a very good friend of HAYA DE LA TORRE and has been corresponding with him for some time. There appears to be no basis for this latter rumor. However, the Apra periodical La Tribuna published an item several months ago in which it was stated that when MANUEL, SEOANE, second in command of the Apra Party, visited the United States, he had a long conversation with Mr. WALLACE and it was intimated that a very close friendship exists between Mr. WALLACE, the Aprista Party, and HAYA DE LA TORRE. : a : There is set out below a report submitted to this office by Noe 2373 HAYA DE LA TORRE, Chief of the Aprista Party, requested the writer to ascertain if an interview with Vice-President HENRY A. WALLACE would be possible. This request was transmitted to the Legal Attaché, who discussed the seme with Ambassador HENRY NORWEB. Mr. NORWEB stated that such an interview would be impossible because the Vice-President had agreed not to contact the opposition partye In addition, Mre NORWEB advised that it would be impossible to give an answer to HAYA DE LA TORRE because no matter what answer was given it would be used for political purposes. The writer was requested to handle the situation with care in view of the possible political consequences. The writer subsequently advised HAYA DE LA TORRE, through an intermediary, that it was impossible to contact the appropriate persons who had charge of arranging the program for Mr. Wallace and that practically everything was being arranged by the Peruvian Government. Subsequently HAYA DE LA TORRE left two envelopes at the writer's residence with a note requesting that they be transmitted to Vice-President WALLACE. One of these envelopes contained a letter signed by Aprista prisoners at El Fronton and a portfolio prepared by the prisoners. This booklet was entirely prepared by hand and was devoted to a criticism of the present Peruvian Government for being a "Dictatorship". It also praised Mr. WALLACE and President Roosevelt and the leader of the Apra Party, HAYA DE LA TORRE. -B=