Evening star., 1917-10-14

the war against Germany, these opin-
ions naturally will be reversed.
President Irigoyens program. how
ever. does not appear to Contemplate
Argentina entering the war. no matter
what the proyocation by Germany may
be Instead. it appears to be his inten-
tion to keep Argentina neutral so that
the country may exercise the influence
Of neutral nation in peace negotia-
tions- The president was quoted at one
time as opposing the popular anti-Ger-
man sentiment because he wanted the
Argentine government. once 1t had
broken on relations, to back UP the
rupture with declaration of war that
would not be sham one, but an un-
comprising fight to the end. He was
further quoted to the effect that Argen-
tina must not be rear guard to the
United States, but should assume a
leading role of her own. The Argen-
tine consul in New York published a
denial of the authenticity of these al
legged declarations.
1t was not long after these utter
ences were attributed to him that the
plan of calling a congress of South
American nations to act jointly was
revived 1t was said that the pur-
pose would be to align them all in the
war against Germany. but some critics
insisted that on the contrary the pur-
pose would be to maintain neutrality
and to exercise a distinct South Ameri-
can influence on peace negotiations.
x
So many South American countries
have allied themselves directly against
Germany that a conference Of the Of
ficials would not be required in order to
solidify their solidarity On the other
hand. congress of the kind proposed
in view of the definite action against
Germany taken by several of the coun-
tries hardly would be means of exer-
cfsing predominant peace influence.
There have been various projects for
a South American conference since the
second year of the war. few months
ago the movement had acquired definite
form. 1t was with relief that the Wash
ington administration was advised later
that 1t had been abandoned Too many
complications were seen If 1t were at
tempted to hold the conference or con-
gress. or whatever it might be called, and
the United States was desirous of avoid
ing them. If President Irigoyen persists
in reviving the project, it may be that
Washington will take a more positive at
titude than was required months ago.
1t is the South American countries, how
what to do. Should they politely init
mate to President Irigoyen that the con-
ference is inadvisable, and they do not
care to be represented in it, the project
will have to be abandoned. because. to
have a prospect Of success. there must
be a full representation. 1t may be in
the meantime that Argentine public SEN
timent will make itself felt against the
plan.
With widespread economic distress.
with falling revenues and mounting taxes
and with the strikes. President Irigoyen
may find his hands too full with domestic
affairs to take hold of international af-
fairs Whatever the immediate develop
ments in the Internal politics Of Argen-
tina, there need be no fear over the ulti-
mate outcome. The country has the re-
sources to meet any economic situation,
and the people are intensely patriotic
They are not likely to let the Argentine
republic get in wrong with the rest OF the
world.