Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-09
MORE AMERICAN
NATIONS LIKELY
TO JOIN ALLIES
Early Entrance Into the War
Against Germany of Several
Additional Latin Re-
pubics Expected.
BRAZIL TO LEAD PROBABLY
Three or Four States of Gen.
trail Group May Take
Stand Beside U. s.
NO FEAR NOW OF MEXICO
NO FEAR NOW OF MEXICO


trance of several OF the South and
Central American nations into the
war against Germany is regarded here
as practically certain. Brazil, aroused
by the sinking of its steamer Parana,
is expected to become a belligerent
this week and it is assumed that its
lead will be followed promptly by
other countries.
Reports of divided opinion in
Argentina have given officials here
little encouragement TO look for ag-
gressive action by that country.
Active support of the United States
by at least three Central American
republics and possibly four would not
be surprising. Official reports that
Estrada Cabrera, president of Guate-
mala, is contemplating seriously a
break with Germany have been re-
ceived. So long as Mexico's course is
underlined, unusual interest is attached
to the position of the Central Ameri-
can governments, especially Guate-
mala, controlling the southern frontier
of Mexico. 1
Guatemala's Role.
In the event of the development Of
an unfriendly situation in Mexico it
is realized that Guatemala's role
would be far from unimportant. In
Guatemala, Cabrera has built up what
is regarded generally as the most ef-
fcient army in Central America and
with it he would be in a position to
lend valuable assistance to the United
States. Antipathy between the Guate-
malans and the Mexicans there has
existed for years.
1t is known that earnest efforts
have been made by counselors of
Cabrera to induce him to enter
promptly into the war. If he does
place his country in the list it is ex-
pected that Nicaragua will quickly
follow and that the long standing diff
fculties between those two countries
and Salvador and Honduras may be
swept away in q desire to present a
united Central America.
Position of Costa.
An odd situation would be left in
the position OF Costa RIGA. There a
new government has just been in
stalled and has apparently no oppor-
tunity OF recognition by the United
States. Federico Tinoco, who over
threw the government of Alfred Con-
zalez in January, was elected presi-
dent on April l. Official notification
of his election was received at the
State department yesterday. The
country is at peace, but prior to the
election and Immediately after the
overthrow OF Gonzalez the United
States announced it would not rec
ognize the de facto government and
would not recognize Tinoco if elected
much anxiety has been manifested
in the probable position Tinoco would
take, but in case the executives of the
other four Central American govern
ments in the war any obstruction
Tinoco might set up would be of little
consequence.
No Fear of Mexico.
American officials continue to
watch closely every move in Mexico,
but little real anxiety remains. 1t is
believed now that German ma
chintionsin that country has failed
and that the worst that may be ex-
pected from that quarter is dec
laration of neutrality.
Investigation by officers of the
American army showed that the re-
ports of German reservists crossing
from the United States into Mexico
have been exaggerated and that the
total number crossing the Rio Grande
since the breaking of relations with
Germany up to ten days ago was not
more than 100.