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Given the broad scope and general nature of the functions assigned to the Political Division regarding the war, the matters arising from its operations were vast and complex. This subsection was tasked with centralizing and distributing all information pertaining to war-related issues, as well as issuing instructions to be followed regarding foreign policy. In this capacity, it served as a hub for communications to and from Argentina’s diplomatic missions abroad, foreign diplomatic missions within Argentina, the relevant departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—those with jurisdiction over matters stemming from Argentina’s status as a neutral or belligerent nation—and other ministries within the National Executive branch. Examples of these functions include: - Neutrality of various countries: Argentina’s diplomatic missions abroad were required to forward to the Political Division any information concerning the stance of their host countries regarding the war. These files, labeled “Neutrality of…,” document the evolution of a given country’s policy from the beginning to the end of the war, including some of the debates that arose. The files may contain decrees, resolutions, newspaper articles, telegrams, speeches, and other types of documents sent by our representatives. - Argentina’s stance: The Political Division was responsible for communicating to the relevant internal departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other national ministries, and diplomatic missions abroad all measures deemed necessary in light of the state of war. Consequently, it disseminated the Executive branch’s decisions on the matter and provided guidance on the practical implications of these directives. - Representing Argentine policy abroad: The Political Division communicated to foreign diplomatic missions in Argentina the measures adopted by the Executive branch regarding the state of war. - Handling of the interests of a foreign country within belligerent states: such requests were made whenever a state declared war and asked another state to look after its interests within the territory of the former. - Reports regarding declarations of war by foreign countries - Peace initiatives undertaken by Argentina - Reports on international meetings (Third Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Rio de Janeiro, the Quebec Conference, the Havana Meeting) - Reports on military operations during the war - Complaints from foreign states regarding the activities of spies in Argentina - Communications between Ministers of Foreign Affairs - Commentary from the foreign press concerning Argentina - Assistance to Argentine citizens residing in countries involved in the conflict - Regulations from foreign countries related to the conflict - Requests from companies based in Argentina to be removed from "blacklists." - Administration of the former crew members of the Graf Spee - Internment records for former Graf Spee crew members: official forms or registration documents bearing the letterhead of the "Ministry of the Interior – Federal Capital Police," which include a photograph of the former crew member and their personal details. In some instances, these records also note transfers, escapes, arrests, marriages, etc. - Reports concerning the Graf Spee and its crew members. These are some examples of the administrative procedures handled by the unit within the Political Division that has been identified as the "Second World War" subsection.