Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-04-11
Brazil, Guatemala and Peru.
Will Follow Action of Cuba.
and Panama, Washington
Learns.
CHlLE'S DECISION TO
BE NEUTRAL SURPRISES
Attitude of Mexico, Which Is
Identical With That of Chile,
Causes No Wonder at Ma
tiOnaI Capital

tBY MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wIREI
Washington, April 10.-Much of the
uncertainty as to Latin Americas at
titude in the war between the United
States and Germany was cleared away
today by definite advices that Chile
and Mexico will remain neutral and
increasing indications that Brazil,
Guatemala and Peru will join Cubs
and Panama on the side of the United
States.
The decision of Chile, the first o.
the American republics to announce
her neutrality, caused some surprise
In MANY quarters it had been expected
that she eventually would break with
Germany, but would postpone her de
cision until advised definitely of The
course of Argentina and Brazil, thu
other members Of the influential A. B
C. group in South America. What ef'
feet her stand will have on the smaller
nations of the continent is matter
of much speculation.
Mexico's decision, on the Other
hand, caused no surprise and is re-
earded as certain to have little influ-
ence with her sister republics. Re-
ports that General Carranza was soft
ening to a distinct pro-American atti-
tude have not been credited by officials
here and neither have they believed
widely circulated stories that he was
preparing to ally himself openly witt
Germany. Information as to his de
cision reached the state department
informally today and n proclamation
of neutrality is expected after the
Mexican congress meets, April 16.
Reported Break Unconfirmed.
Official confirmation of BraziPs
break with the Berlin government still
is lacking, but officials believe there is
no doubt that the authorities at Rio
have definitely decided for war AS
the largest South American nation
Brazils influence on the other repub-
lies of the new world is expected to be
second only to that of the United
States.
Officials here professed to be igno-
rant of the purpose of Peru as an
nounced in press reports, in sending a
naval officer to Washington ION a spe-
cial naval mission" but it was taken
as a sign that opinion in that country
is crystalizing in favor of belligerency.
Official advices from Guatemala
during the day left little doubt that
the proclamation Of martial law there
was a preliminary to a break with
Germany. Under suspension of the
civil law the Guatemalan government
can take drastic steps in controlling
what otherwise might be serious sit
uation presented by the large German
population.
1t is assumed that as a neutral the
Mexican government will take such
steps as it is able to protect the oil
fields supplying a considerable part OF
the fuel used by the British fleet. A
great part of the field is not now with
in Carranza's control, but Manuel Pa
laez, the revoutionist, controlling n
long strip of territory south of Tam
pico, has gained the confidence of the
oil operators by his policy of guarding
the big wells against any aggressions.
Take Over British Road.
An incident that has caused curios-
ity and some anxiety at the state de-
partment was the taking over by the
Mexican government, TWO weeks ago,
of the British owned Mexican railway
between Vera Cruz and Mexico City.
No explanation has been given but
continued investigation by the depart
ment has failed to show any German
influence behind the act or any sue
cess for the efforts of German agents
working to secure the support of the
Mexican government.
1t is regarded as possible, though
not probable. that some headway has
been made by the German agents with
Villa and other revolutionary chiefs
who are yet operating on a scale big
enough to make them a menace to
Carranza. Increased activity of rebel
chiefs, it is realized, might render very
difficult CarranZa's maintenance of
neutrality.