The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-12-05
TO ASSERT HEu1Rll's RIGHT.
CONTROVERSIES ARISE BETWEEN
SOUTH AMERICAN AND EU.
ROPEAN COUNTRIES.
Pan-American Board Called To Meet
tn Decide Question Of Safeguarding
Nations Rights.

washington. Dec. 2.-Grave con
troversies between nations of South
America and European beiligerents
led today to the calling OF a confer
ence for next Tuesday Of the govern
Ing board Of the Pan American Union
Before this board. comprising diplo-
matte representative here Of 20 Amer
lean republics. with the secretary OF
state of the United States as chair
man ex-ofYicio. will come various sug-
gestions made by Argentina, Chile
Peru. Uruguay and Eucador for a
stronger assertion of the rights OF
neutrais and the exclusion Of belliger-
snt warships from American waters.
Evidence Of the seriousness Of the
situation In South America due to the
presence Of belligerent warships of
both coasts was contained In q dis
patch tonight to Eduardo Suarez
Mujica. the Chilean ambassador. from
the minister Of foreign affairs at San
tiago. Chilean officials express fear
that Germany's alleged violation OF
Chilean neutrality may Influence
other belligerents to disregard the
territorial Jurisdiction OF Chile and
perhaps cause them to send their
wsrships within the three-miie limit
To stop German operations.
The Chilean government urged that
whatever steps are taken should have
the earnest and united support of all
the American republics.
Originally Great Britain and France
asked the United Sttaes to exercise its
good Offices with Ecuador and Colom-
bia to observe strict neutrality. AL
though this controversy. according to
latest reports. Is being adjusted. the
situation In Chile has emphasized the
dangers to South American republics
OF the continued presence Of foreign
warshis on their coasts.
Since tho outbreak OF the war the
South American countries have asked
the United states for cooperation In a
movement to restore normal trade
conditions. Peru suggested neutral
sone with meridians as boundaries, on
both theN Atlantic and Pacific sides of
the two continents.
Another country proposed extern
sion df tho territorial jurisdictions of
all countries frem the three mile
iimit 20 n suflieient distance which
would permit co,stwise trade to move
urmolested.
Ecuador and Argentine asked that
q meeting OF the governing board Of
the Pan-American union be called to
discuss questions Of mutual interest
to all nations In this hemisphere.
Chile brought forward q plan to per-
nit belligerent ships to obtain only
n sufficient quantity Of coal 20 carry
them to the port % an adjacent
country.
England already has shown willing
ness to accept this proposal. which
would amend the rules OF The Hague
convention. Colombia has for some
time followed this method In dealing
with foreign warships.
Out Of the mass of suggestions. the
most feasible for the present In view
OF President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan was tho discussion through
the Pan-Americln unions governing
board OF ways and means of dealing
with questions Of neutrality.
The object Of the meeting. said
Secretary Bryan" is to relieve neutral
countries OF tho burdens which the
war has placed upon them"
l.uc.i intcrCst was aroused among
Wa hin ton III llomats when the pur-
pore OF the rnc ,ting became generally
know n. Tho knowledge that the ma
tions q. hi II ais phcrc would en-
deavor !jrUi nall 60 reach an un-
derstan, h.s 80 .hcy would speak "a
with GO NniSo 10 the bcliigerents was
receivc1 C..h marked attention by
Euror Car d!JiTa6,a who are follow
ing .Ie novC nent closely.