Evening star., 1917-06-03
l3I4[4I@ EIGi@lli l1Ill1rljlI1Il
BY CHARLES M. PEPPER.

o4 CdAhAES m. TE1IEh.
81 ATTN AMERICAN eyes are on the
prospective congress of the ma
tions of America, to be held at
80 Buenos Aires. The United
States also turns an inquiring glance in
that direction
This proposed congress of the ma
tions of America antedates the various
proposals which have been made since
Germany began to run amuck as an
outlaw nation through it's submarine
campaign.
After this campaign was started and
the neutral world became convinced of
Germany's purposes, several sugges-
tions were made by South American
governments for a conference. Bolivia.
which was the first to repudiate Ger
many's course, put forth suggestion
for harmonious action. Ecuador fol-
lowed with a proposition for gather
ing of the South American countries,
in order to Establish a formula" 9th
er countries Joined in suggestions for
conferences, but all these now seem to
be held in allegiance until the prospect
at Buenos Aires can be determined.
This proposed conference Of the ma
tfons of America. while it relates spe-
cif1cally to the war situation, was for
mulated before the Latin American
countries. following the United States,
had begun to break OFF diplomatic rela-
tions with Germany. Should it be held,
Its discussions and recommendations
therefore inevitably will be along lines
somewhat different than II Germany
had not entered upon the submarine
campaign and had not destroyed neu-
trail vessels of South American coun-
tries. as we'll as Of the United States.
The aspiration in which the confer
ence originated was to preserve the
status of South America as a neutral
factor. and at the same time to enforce
heretofore accepted principles of neu-
trality with reference to both sets of
belligerents Ina broader way. the
motive was to give South America a
place on the world map as a distinct
and coherent influence in world policies
as related to peace as we'll as to war.
Some Of the South American pubIicists,
believed that a conference or a con-
gress of all the nations of America
might also exercise tranquilizing in
huence on various internal questions
by providing the assurance that none
of the governments was out for land
grabbing. The basic assumption was
that all the nations were equal what
ever their size or strength.
. Territorial area Is not the full meas
ure of political influence in South
America. 1t is true that Brazil and
Argentina are of vast territorial ex-
tent. but Chile, which Is relatively
small. exercises a political influence
equal to either of themc On the other
ri Hyh oh ba1
enormous areas. such as Bolivia, owing
to circumstances. are not so strong
Ihe FEELING that some of the more
powerful countries are bent on parti-
1oning the less stronger countries.
after the historic manner of the great
powers of Europe. has been one Of the
drawbacks to the genuine Pan-Ameri-
can unity and solidarity of which SO
much Is heard at banQuets. The ex-
lstence OF this feeling is. moreover.
alliance to achieve the results which
were hoped for.
Other South American countries re-
sented the assumption that Argentina,
Brazil and Chile, as group,
were entitled to speak for all South
America in world affairs, aside
from the assumed dominance in the
internal affairs OF the whole southern
continent. The alliance, nevertheless,
might have been perfected since
treaties were negotiated between the
A. B. c. countries, had not the radical
administration which came into power
in the Argentine Republic last year
declined to advise their ratification by
the congress. In consequence of this
failure Of the A. B. c. treaties, there
has been less unity of purpose mani
tested as regards Germany's aggres-
sions than might have been expected.
but it cannot be said that the South
American countries as separate ma
tionalities have been Indifferent to
their own rights.
Just what tendencies will manifest