Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1914-11-27
WOULD MAKE PAN
america NEUTRAL
PLAN TO EXCLUDE BELLIG
ERENT SHIPS FROM
AMERICAN WATERS.
Conference of North and South
American Countries Is
Suggested.

WAsHINGToN, Nov. 26.-The
w United states government has
been asked by the principal nations
of South America to cooperate with
them in negotiations with the bellig
erent powers Of Europe to exclude all
belligerent warships from the waters
Of the two Americas and to safeguard
the trade of pan-American countries
with each other.
Argentine, Chile, Peru and Uruguay
have laid their suggestions before the
Washington government, while the
Brazilian government is considering
the adyisability Of taking a similar
step. Practically all the Central and
South American countries have been
circularized by some Of the principal
nations, 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 Of the trade
between North and South America,
paralyzed by the European war. The
movement also has for its object the
removal Of possible causes Of serious
friction between the countries Of this
hemisphere and the European bellig-
erents on questions of neutrality.
Already Had Trouble.
Already chile, Ecuador and Colon
bia have had serious difficulties with
the belligerents over the use OF the
wireless and the coaling of foreign
warships whose presence in the At
lantiC and Pacific Is growing obnoX-
ious to South American countries.
None of the nations which have
made suggestions is committed 10 any
particular plan, but all seek the CO.
operation of the United States. The
impetus that will make any plan of-
fcCuVc, it is recognized by the diplo-
mats Of south America, rests with
President Wilson.
The various plans thus far formally
communicated TO The United States are
as follows:
/. The establishment of neutral
zones on the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts of North and South America
within which the belligercnts shall be
asked to agree not to engage in hos
tilities or interfere with commercial
vessels. meridian would be desig-
mated as the limit in each case.
2. The convoCation OF a general
conference of diplomatic representa-
tiVes and commercial delegates Of all
the countries Of this hemisphere with
powers to vote on steps which can be
taken to protect and restore pan
American trade.
3. The appointment by the pan
American union of committee to
recommend steps that would remove
dangers to pan-American trade,
Drnbfhitipp bN. uattnng pf ba
two Americas of the privilege exer-
cised by belligerents Of coaling in neu-
tral ports, or the issuance Of only a
sufficient quantity Of coal to enable
belligcrent vessel to reach the
nearest port of another country.
England is Willing.
Already some of the powers of Eu-
rope have been sounded on these
propositions. and it is understood that
Great Britain is ready to deny her
warships entry into Central and South
American ports 10 coal II the United
states approves the proposal and other
belligerents agree.
While many diplomats who have
continually investigated the effects OF
restriction of coalmg privileges be-
hcye that such "a prohibition 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 encourage
ment to the diplomats here.
The entire movement Is as yet I'm a
formative state and depends very
largely for its progress on the atti-
tude Of the United States toward It.
Those in a position to know the pre-
liminary opinions expressed by high
officials of the American government
in the early stages OF the negotia-
tlous learned that the United States
was particularly anxious to take no
step which possibly would impair It's
influence with any OF the belligerents
in the eventual settlement OF the Eu-
roepan war. South American diplo-
mats. realizing this, have been seek
ing to find some common ground on
which to act so that tangible and
Continued on Page Two.)