Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-03
PLANS FOR NEUTRAL Zone
IN WESTERN HEMISPHERE
VIII BE Laid by United States Before
Governing Board OF Pan-Ameri-
can Union.
10 REACH CONCORD OF VIEWS
All Suggestions Concerning Rights Of
American Republics Will Be Con-
sidered, So They Can Speak With
One Voice When Questions Arise.

WASHINGTON. December PRO
waters of the Western Hemisphere and
conserving the rights OF neutrals will
be laid by the United States before the
governing board OF the Pan-American
Union. which consists of diplomatic
representatives OF the twenty one
American republics.
Z The governing board will meet on
Tuesday.
Secretary Bryan snid to-day that all
the suggestions which have been made
Will be discussed. Argentine, Chile,
Peru, Uruguay and Ecuador are among
the countries which have formally
communicated plans for the restora-
ton OF shipping in this hemisphere
throughla more vigorous assertion Of
neutral rights. The conference will
take the form OF an exchange OF vlews
by the dfplomatists. and also will In
cludei such questions as wireless and
coaling, which already have made con-
troversies with the European bcllig-
erents.
The general purpose Of the meeting
Is TO reach IL concord OF views on neu-
trality questions SO that the twenty.
one American republics will speak as
with one voice to the European bellig-
arise.
Peru's suggestion for a neutral zone
extending the terrlt orial waters from
tho three-11ile limit to include q large
area within which coastwtse trade of
all belligerents should be unmoiestetl,
Is not viewed by the United States Az
practicable at present, because OF the
belief that such a move would be mis-
! interpreted by one or the other Of the
Delligerents. Such step could come
only from the voluntary action of the
Deiiigerents, according to President
fcials here believe tile project should
be pressed by tho concert OF PAN
American nations after the war.
! Chile had suggested that foreign
warships be refused coal In any Ameri-
can ports, or that only sufficient coal
he given to permit warship to reach
! d port In an adjacent country. Co
I lombia already has adopted the latter
method IN dealing with bclligcrent
ships.
| Argentina and Ecuador have IN
formed the United States they believe
number OF new questions have
arisen since the outbreak OF tho war
! which demand Joint consideration by
the Pan American nations, because OF
| the Identity OF their interests as neu.
! trails. Those two countries suggested
the calling of q conference either Of
! SpcCiai ueieBaCeS or or diplomatic rep
resentatiyes through the Pan-Americnn
Union. with view to q thorough dis
cussion of the situation. M
] After conferences between President
Wilson, Secretary Bryan and Counselor
Robert Lansing. It was decided that
| tho only feasible plan at present was
| to lay the entire question before the
Pan-Amerfcan governing board. There
! tile diplomatic Representatives can dig
cuss questions informally without com
Uniting their governments to any
| specific course, and out Of such inter
change of views plans may be evolved
that can be referred TO their respective
governments for, uniform action.
! Evidence of tho seriousness OF the
| situation III South America due to the
presence OF belligerent warships on
i both coasts was contained In dis.
| patch tonight to Eduardo Suarex Mu.
| tica, the Chilean am bassador, from the
! Minister OF Foreign Affairs at Santiago
| Chilean officials express n fear that
Z Germany's alleged violation OF Chilean
p neutrality mny influence other belli-
gerents to disregard the territorial
Jurisdiction Of Chile, and perhaps cause
/, them to: send their warships within the
three-mile limit to stop German oper-
| ationB.
| Much interest was aroused umone
Washington diplomats when the pur-
known. The knowledge that the ma.
lions of this Nepisphere would en-
deavor. if informally, to reach an uni
(, Outstanding, was received with mark ed
| attention BY European diplomats. who
are following tho movement closely