The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-02
ASK AID Of j. S.
SOUTH AMERICA Wants NEUTRAL
zone ALONG ALL COASTS
WOULD Restore TRADE

Leading South American Countrie:
Suggest Conference to "Agree OF
Steps" to "Protect and Restore
Pan.American Trade-Wait OF
Wilson's Cooperation.
The United States government ha&
been asked by the principal Soutt
American nations to cooperate with
them in Negotiations with European
belligerents to bring about the ex'
clusion of all belligerent warships
from the waters Of the American
countries with each other. Argentina
Chile, Peru and Uruguay have laid
their suggestion before the Wash
ington government.
Virtually all the Central and South
American countries have been circu'
larized by some of the principal ma
tions, resulting In series Of diplo-
matte conferences in Washington and
the capitals of South America which
are now in progress.
While the proposals are different
In character and scope they all seek
the same end-the restoration or the
trade between North and South Amer
lea, paralyzed by the European war
The movement has also for its OBJ
iect removal Of serious friction be-
tween countries of this hemisphere
and European belligerents on ques-
tions of neutraE;J.
The impetus that will make any
plans effective, it is recognized, rests
with President Wilson. The various
plans thus far formally communicat-
ed to the United States are as fol-
lows:
/. The establishment of neutral
zones on the atlantic and Pacific
coasts OF North and South America,
within which the belligerents shall be
asked to agree not to engage in hos
Glities.
2. The convocation Of a general
conference Of diplomatic representa-
tives and commercial delegates OF all
American countries with power to
agrSe on steps which can be taken to
protect and restore Pan-Amer3can
trade.
s. The appointment BY the Pan
American union OF a committee to
recommend steps that would remove
dangers to Pan.American trade.
4. Prohibition by all nations Of the
two Americas OF the privileges hith.
erto exercised by the belligerents of
coaling in neutral ports, or the issu.
anee Of only sufficient quantity of
coal to enable a belligerent vessel to
reach the nearest port OF another
country.
- Already some Of the powers of
Europe have been felt on the propo-
sitions and it is understood Great
Britain is ready to deny her war
ships entry into Central and South
American ports to coal if the United
States approves the proposal and 9TH
er belligerents agree.
While many diplomats believe re-
strictions of coaling privileges alone
would not be effective IN keeping bel
ligerent warships from American
waters, the fact that England with
her sea power looked with favor on
measures that would assist the South
American countries in preserving
their neutrality and restoring their
trade has been a source Of much en-
couragement to diplomatists here.
The entire movement is as yet in a
formative state and depends largely
for its progress on the attitude Of the
United States towards it. Those in a
position to know the preliminary
opinions expressed by high officials
of the American government in early
stages Of the negotiations learned
that the United States was particular
ly anxious to take no step which
might impair it's influence with any OF
the belligerents in eventual settle
ment Of the European war. South
American diplopats, realizing this
have sought to find some common
ground on which to act, so that tang
ible and practical results will be OBJ
tanned without embarrassing the neu'
trails in their relations with the bel
ligerents.
The position Of the Southern coun'
tries as voiced by representatives here
is one Of earnest and serious effort tc
assert their rights as neutrals. Theil
trade has suffered and they felt they
as the innocent victims of conflict
which they could not have prevented
With The very economic life of tht
South American nations threatened
by the rupture Of trade connections
with Europe the Latin countries are
looking to the United States for capi
tai to promote domestic enterprises
and they believe the development o.
their industries by foreign interest:
will not come until Pan-Americar
trade has been given protection.