Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-16
Central Allies Have Few
Friends Among Latin
American Republics.
THREE COUNTRIES
TO BE HEARD FROM
Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia Ex.
peoted to Define Positions Before
End Of Week-Statsments of Only
Two Nations Not Frank - Central
American Attitude Giving No Con.
csrn to Washington.

washington. April 16.-Prompt en-
dorsement from South America Of the
faction of the United States in taking
Germany's challenge of war was the
source of great satisfaction to officials
Of the administration. There remained
but three countries, Ecuador, Nenc-
zUela and Colombia, which had not de-
fined their positions, and it is believed
before the end of the week they too
would respond
With the exception of Costa Rica,
none of the Central American group
had declared its attitude but no con-
Germ over where their sympathy would
be placed has been felt at the state de-
partment.
So far Cuba is the only war spot in
Latin America, but the positions as
sumed by Panama and Costa Rica place
them practically IN the list Of war ma
tions and almost no doubt remains that
Brazil will be at war In few days.
Two Nations Not Frank.
The only governments which have
not been frank in their endorsements
|of the United States are Chile and Peru
The formel declaring itself for psatral- :
ity and the latter "deploring the fact
that the United States had been unable
to adjust her difficulty with Germany
without recourse to war.
Following is the way the other ma
tions are lined up today:
OF
many.
Panama-D her readiness to
assist in any way possible in the pro-
lection Of the Panama canal
Costa ca--Offered her ports and
other territorial waters to the United
States for war needs of the American
navy.
Rrazil--Relations broken with Ger
many.
Bolovia--R Relations broken with Ger
many.
Uruguay--Endorsedt the action of the
United States and characterized Ger
many's submarine warfare as an in
suit to humanity"
Paraguay-Expressed sympathy with
the government of the United States
forced into war TO rehaollltate tne
rights Of neutrals.'
observation-disclosures the action of
the United States as just and right.
Mexco-Neutral.
Others May Act.
State department officials believe 1t
is possible that the government of
Ecuador may consider itself bound to
adopt a somewhat equivocal attitude
because Of the suggestions made sew
eral weeks ago that a conference OF
neutrals be held atlMontevldeo to study
means for bringing tho war to an end.
Cluatemala's proclamation of martial
law was still regarded here as pre-
cautlonary step taken by President
Caberera, preliminary to break with
Germany. 1t was believed that Hon
duras. Salvador and Nicaragua, the re-
naming uncommitted nations OF Gen.
tral America, are awaiting action by
Guatemala and that they will announce
their positions Immediately after
Guatemala speaks
The United States has looked to Lat
In America for moral support but there
has been no disposition to underrate
the very material assistance that might
be rendered II necessary.
The total peace strength Of Latin
America Ia only 35o,o00 mon but the
potential strength Is several times that
and Indications are that the Latin
American nations will lose no time In
raising their forces to full war
strength.