Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1917-04-26
ENDORSEMENT OF COURSE
TAKEN BY UNITED STATES
BY SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES
GRATIFYING TO WASHINGTON.
Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia,
Not Vet Heard From, Expected to
Define Attitude.

Washington.--Prompt endorsements
from South America OF the action Of
the United States in taking Germany's
challenge to war are the source OF
great qualification to officials Of the
administrative. There remained but
three countries, Ecuador, Venezuela.
and Colombia, which had not defined
their positions, and It was believed
that before the end of this week they,
too, would respond.
With the exception of Costa Rica,
none Of the Central American group
had declared its attitude, but no con-
cern over where their sympathy will
be placed has been felt at the state
department.
So far Cuba IL the only war spot in
Latin.America, but the positions as
sumed by Panama and Costa Rica
place them practically in the list of
warning nations, and almost no doubt
remains that Brazil will be at war
within a few days. The only govern
ments that have not been frank In
their ENDORSEMENT of the step taken
by the United States are Chile and
Perua, the former confning itself to q
formal declaration Of neutrality and
the latter to "deploring" the fact tina,
the United States had been unable to
adjust her difficulty with Germany
without recourse to war.
Way They Line Up.
Following Is the way the Other
Latin-American nations, whose posi-
tions are defined, were lined up:
Cuba-Declared war against Ger
many.
Panama Declared her readiness tt
assist in any way possible in the pro
lection of the Panama Canal.
Costa Rloa-Offered her ports ant
other territorial waters to the Unite'
States for war needs OF the American
navy.
Brazil-Relation broken with Ge,
many.
Bolivia-Reations broken with Gel
many.
Endorsed the action G
the United States and characterize
Germany's submarine warfare as "a
insult TO humanity"
Paraguay--Expressed sympathy wit
the government Of the United State
forced into war to rehabilitate tn
rights OF neutrals"
observation-disclosures the action
the United States as just and right.
Mexico-Neutral.
State department officials believe
possible that the government Of EcQu'
dor may consider itself bound to adoI
a somewhat equivocal attitude becaus
Of a suggestion made several weel
ago that a conference Of neutrals
be held at Montevideo to study NEAR
for bringing the war to an end.
Guatemala's proclamation OF marti
law was still regarded here as a pr
! cautionary step tken by President 3
, trada Cabrera, preliminary to q brea
with Germany. It was believed tn
Honduras, Salvador and Nicaragu
i the remaining uncommitted nations
h Central America. are awaiting actit
by Guatemala and that they will a
nounce their positions Immediately
! tor Guatemala speaks.
J. The United States has looked
, Latin.America for moral support mo
than for material assistance, but the
y has been no disposition to undertal
!. the very material assistance tn
might be rendered II II became meet
sary. The total peace strength
g Latin-Amrica's armies h only 334,0
d men, but the potential power IL 81
v eral times that and reports from 4
South American republics have In
Gated that no time will be lost
raising fighting forces to their Z
war strength. -