The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1914-12-04
SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES
START MOVEMENT TO
BAR BELLIGERENT
NATIONS.
SEEK COOPERATION OF U.S.;
POWERS ARE BEING SOUNDED
Safeguarding of Pan-American Trade
Is Aim and Diplomatic Confer
ences Have Already Com
menced-Great Britain is
Reported Agreeable.

Washington, Nov. 2S-The Unite,
States government has been asked b,
the principal nations of South Americ:
to cooperate with them in negotiation,
with the belligerent powers of Europ,
to bringing about the exclusion of al
! belligerent warships from the water.
| of the two Americas and safeguard the
the trade of Pan-American countries
with each other.
Several Already Have Acted.
Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay
have laid their suggestions before the
Washington government, while the
Brazilian government is considering
the advisability of taking 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
now are in progress.
While the proposals are different in
character and scope, they all seek the
same end-the restoration of trade be-
tween North and South America, para
lyzed by the European war. The move
ment also has for its object the re-
moval of possible causes of serious
friction between the countries of this
hemisphere and the European belliger-
ents on questions of neutrality.
Trouble Appears Already.
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 obnoxious
to South American countries.
None of the nations which have
made suggestions is committed to anv
particular plan, but all seek the CO.
operation of the United States. The
impetus that will make any plan eff
fectiye, it is recognized by. the diplo-
mats of South America, rests with
President Wilson.
Various Plans Outlined.
The various plans thus far formally
communicated to the United States are
as follows:
"a 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
hostilities or interference with COM
mercial vessels. A meridian would
be designated as the limit in each
case.
(2) The convocation of general
of diplomatic representa-
ives and commercial delegates of all
he countries of this hemisphere with |
powers to vote ON steps which can be |
aiken to protect and restore Pan
American trade.
90 The appointment by the Pan |
American Union of commission to |
recommend steps that would remove
hangers to Pan-American trade.
"a Prohibition by all nations of !
he two Americas of the privilege |
heretofore exercised by belligerents of
oaling in neutral ports or the issu-
nee of only sufficient quantity of
oal to enable belligerent vessel to
each the nearest port Of another coun-
ry.
Powers Are Sounded.
Already some of the powers of Eu-
ope have been sounded on these pro-
ositions and 1t is understood that
treat Britain is ready to deny her war
hips entry into Central and South
american ports to coal If the United
tates approves the proposal and 9TH
r belligerents agree.
While many diplomats who have
arefully investigated the effects of
estriction of coaling privileges, be-
eve such prohibition alone would
OF be effective in keeping belligerent
from American waters, the
act that Great Britain, with her sea
over, looked with favor on measures
nat would assist the South American
ountries in preserving their neutral
y and restoring their trade has been
source of much announcement to
ne diplomatists here.
The entire movement is in a forma-
We state and depends for its progress
cry largely on the attitude of the
'nited States. I