The Washington times., 1917-02-05
SOUTH AMERICANS
FAIL TO RESPOND
Latin Press Shows Little Ten
dency to Urge Alliance
With United States.
REPUBLICS ARE DIVIDED
Masses Would Join With Wilson
But Ruling Glasses Are
Opposed.
REPUBLICS ARE DIVIDED

BUENos AIRES, Feb. 5.--President
Wilson is most unlikely to receive
much South American support in his
suggestion for joint neutral action
II editorial comment is any standard
by which to judge.
In Argentina, 1t is necessary to diff
1erentiate between the lower and up
Per class opinion as to Americas step.
1t Is noticeable that the former class
the most numerous-is pro-United
States because 1t is pro-ally.
But the upper class controls the
policies Of the nation. And II Is
eoldest toward the United States.
Same Situation Elsewhere.
The same situation exists in other
South American republics.
An editorial in La Nacion today is
typical of the preponderating opinion
OF South American newspapers. 1t
epitomized the statement Of former
Foreign Minister Muratore express
Ing hope that the United States will
"be wise enough to avoid war"-im-
plying that she can avoid hostiIities
II she wishes.
The editorial was likewise typical
IN its intimation that the United
States is responsible for the present
situation, on account of its alleged
attempt to monopolize the credit and
prestige Of peace making.
United States Accused.
In pursuance with this attempt, the
United States was charged with de-
feating- the consolidation of neutrals
with the A B. c. nations proposed
early in the war, and to the forma-
tion OF which the United States at
FIRST pledged its aid.
That aid was later withdrawn and
the project fell through. Since that
tifne the United States is held to have
acted alone-and on many occasions
posed to South Americas wishes in
the matter.
Called Nation Alone.
La Nacion's editorial expressed
the belief that the United States "was
now alone" That expression was
taken as belief that South America
would not join the United States.
La Nacion's influential position and
the accuracy OF its previous state
ments as to Argentina's attitude,
coupled with its usual reticence and
deliberation in editorial expression,
make this direct statement most sig
nifcent.
The newspapers editorial contin-
ued:
History Must Decide.
"Tt Is not for us to decide which ma
tIon was responsible for the present
Germany and the allies are both de-
scending most dangerous slopes
toward the depopulation of the world.
'1nexorable winds are pllling the
United States into the struggle"
La Nacion praised President Will
son intentions, but added: IF the
United States IS involved, the last
hope of universal peace disappears"
DIsagrees With La Nacion.
Disagreeing with La Nacion, the
Buenos Aires Diaro Iustrado declared
today:
Our only hope is that war will not
come to South America, or that there be
a resurrection OF the corpse of the
Peace Union 1t may be said that Ger
many has declared war on the entire
world. We assume the United States
will ask South Americas support, and
we believe no republic will refuse"
Dispatches from Rio de Janeiro today
said the Council OF Ministers was to
meet this afternoon to prepare Brazil's
answer to Germany.
Predicts Alliance.
FL Comercio. a leading newspaper
there, predicted Brazil would Join with
the United States.
saTha &, N 5a,,fIs,
Of blind piracy" its editorial asserted.
TT is the last gasp OF a madman. 1t was
an extraordinary response to the power
(meaning the United States), which is
trying TO benefit Germany.
The war is spreading throughout the
World-but there should be satisfaction
IN the thought that such a spread has
tens the end Of the conflict"