South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-16
SOUTH AMERICAS
BACKING WILSON
Only One Nation, Mexico, Has
Failed to Give u. S. at
Least Moral Support.

international News Service:
WASHINGTON. April l6.-WasE-
ington watched with keen satisfac-
ton today the progress OF events in
South America. AS the republics TO
the south line up behind the United
States. officials see the completion Of
Pan-Americanism. the universal ac-
ceptance OF the theory that the ma
tions OF the western hemisphere
must stand together and, lastly. they
believe it makes more certain the al
ready assured defeat OF Germany
and her allies.
Only one nation Of I.atin-America
has so far failed to give this country
at least moral support Mexico has
not bg word or deed signtfied any
position Of friendliness to the United
States against Germany. Carranza
has not even repudiated the thinner
man note.
declaration OF war on Germany
by Brazil is hourly expected. If Ger
many wants 10 take up the challenge
she already has sufficient reason 10
do so because OF BraziTs seizure of
the German ships in her harbors.
That in itself constitutes an act OF
war. it was pointed out here today.
Argentine to Follow.
Argentine's position is slightly
more complex, but she is neverthe-
less expected 10 follow Brazirs ac-
ton in breaking off diplomatic rela-
tiOns with Germany. There is a pre-
ponderance of German capital i'm Ar
gentine. which is bringing all the
influence possible on the government
to, avert a break. Dispatches reach
ing Washington state that the people
are demanding war. and that the
sinking Of the Argentine steamer
Monte Potedigo is expected TO prove
the Casus belli.
Paraguay and Uruguay. whose i'm
terests are identical, have given
strong moral support to the action
of the United States. and there is
little doubt that they both will give
more material evidences Of their
support when the opportunity arises
Each has assured this country that
it believes the course the United
States has adopted is justieable
Bolivia already has broken with
Germany. Cuba has declared war on
Germany, Panama stands ready 10
the canal, Costa Rica has offered the
use Of her ports TO the American
navy and Guatemala is ready 70 fol-
low her martial law declaration with
more vigorous German action.
Three South American countries
have 10 date taken no move TO
openly endorse the action OF the
United States-Colombia Venezuela
and Ecuador. But. with their sister
republics rapidly falling in line be-
hind the United States there is little.
doubt in Washington that they viii
take similar action.
The material assistance which the
South and Central American repub-
lies can give the allied cause is not
monumental. But, the moral effect
on Germany will be tremendous. Of
ficials believe. It will bring home 20
Germany-and more particularly the
German people-the fact that the
entire western hemisphere is lined
up solidly with their enemies. Il will
emphasize the fact that the German
government as at present constituted
is an international outcast a pariah
among nations.
The natural resources OF the
Latin-American nations are tremen-
dous but they Will not weigh so
heavily in the anti-German scales
because Of the absence of tonnage
on the seas. Their financial assist
ance will not be great either. The
combined peace strength o. South
American armies is slightly under
10000 men, and some of these, in
all probability will find their way to
the battle fronts Of Europe TO do
their bit in crushing Prussian mill
tarism and autocracy and making
the world safe for democracy be-
fore autumn.