The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-11-12
SOUTH AMERICAN
COUNTRIES VIOLATE
THEIR NEUTRALITY
Ecuador and Colombia Believ-
ed to Have Given Aid to
Germany.
United States
Is Approached
British Request American State
Department 10 Point Out
Alleged Violations to the Of
Tending Countries

Washington, NOV. fi.-~(Ea-
elusive .-~~t IlargeS by hrtsst Brt- j..
tain thai certain South american
governments arc failing ~ prc-
vent violations OF .ie!r nct.tsyi its
committed tn rl.e i3ifCre~. of Ger
MAI y have served 70 develop new
responsibilities g. ihc United
states, because ~. .-, observance
10 the Monroe Durtrsnc.
I, became lnera today tsat the
British government. instead ~ o.
rect.s bringing to me atfrhyion ~ the
South American goHernu enis con-
cerned its neutrality charges, spoke
first to the United States Cove nment.
The suggestion WAS made Mat recoc-
n.Z3ng the peculiar position the United
ssates occupies IN regard to the for
Gsgn af.a.as or uaaay I.aan+ss1.4eEIasan
Roxef .asats II seemed fixing snat the
attention Of the United States Erst
should be called ~ the alleged yio
lat.ons q. neutrality. Further. II was
strongly hiated that the United States
should take Il upon Itself To cal tae
attention ~ the south American gov
eYuments TO The alleged violation
With view 10 putting an end TO
hem.
The inference seemed to he plain
taat IL the United States did not care
- do his, then the British would fee,
Sp,sed 10 proceed N this matter. bat
british suggested Il would better
AZ the convenience Of the United
a'cs and also avoid any possible lr-
tat{on X tho United States rather
nan Great Britain acted tifSt.
Two Countrie. Involved.
The charges concerned Ecaador
ana Colombia. The British govern
n1crt Is satisfied from information 1t
ias received hat the German
squadre in the Pacific hitch recent
" met and defeated .lc British
squadron OFF the coast OF Chill has
had the use Of wireless stations IN
Ecuador and Colombia, ny means of
which 1t received Information as to
the movements az the enemy's ships.
and made arrangements regarding
supplies
An even more serious charge and
one which uncontrovertibly eonsti-
futes a violation of neutrality II true
Is that the German vessels haTa been
making usc OF one Of the Galapagos
islands as base OF supplies, These
Islands belong To Ecuador and be!ns
Canal have a strateg.cal value recog-
nlzed by the United States in several
tentative efforts to purchase the
islands and also by steps to prevent
tleir failing under the control Of other
powers. Il is charged that coal and
slapsiee .1ave been taHeta +e-t these
Islnnds for the German warsh,ps thus
providing them with an obscure but
aecessih'c base of operations.
Ut IL.
United States government on this sub
5ect were unwelcome TO tho State De-
partment, because of the number of
embarrassing and delicate questions
they raise. This government would
regret exceedingly being placed In a
position where 1t would be compelled
BY force of circum instances TO take up
with any South American government
a charge of violation OF neutrality In
favor OF any OF the European belli-
gsrents.
May Move slowly.
Consequently it Ia probable that the
state Department will be very slow
10 move in response 10 the representa-
fious received thus far from the Brit
tsh.
1t is thought UP to the present the
British have offered no evidence sup
porting their charges against Ecuador
ana SQIOit ahN ehN'' PS~'sA'C ~ho
conclusive evidence is presented in
proof Of their claims there will be
nothing done by the Department OF
State. NJ
unjust be digauieting to the United
states to feel that any government on
this hemisphere Is sufficiently in
fiuenced by European government
either to eonnive or wink at acts In
aid OF beiliRerent contrary to the
requirements of neutrality. 1t would
be difficult to imagine. according to
nninion here, more disquieting sitna-
ton than occupation and use of the
Galapagos Islands by Germany as
naval base.
There is implied In the British at
titudc another disturbing possibility.
The British intimate that, of course,
II the United States does not wish
10 act In regard to these alleged vio-
Iations OF neutrality. then the British
government would feel free to Act.
This holds out the possibility that In
.sueh an event tho British naval forces
supposed to be in, or Ell route to, this
Pacific might seize the Galapagos Is
lands
AZ present, however. but one step has.
[Eeen taken in. the whole matter and
|1ResA Ii eysryreason for believing that
11anx further Will ~ done lleas the