The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-09-16
nv John BARRFTT.

director General of the PanAneri-
can Union and Former United
states Mipister 70 Argentina, Co
lombia ana Panama.
There is good war news from Cen
trail and South America every day
Each report is more encouraging than
the one before It, The latest infor-
nation is Of special importance. 1t
shows a record for growing Pan
American solidarity that is surprising.
Il carries a significance that should
ho heard all over the world. Con
stantlV am asked in letters and tele-
grams. not only from all parts OF the
United States and from the allied
nations OF Europe, but from Latin
America. What is the exact status
of the twenty Central and South
American countries in this world
StrugGle?" Without commenting
upon the wisdom of each nations ac-
tIon. it is permitted for me, in an
swcr. to give summary of the ac-
luai facts. At this hour the situation
is as follows
First There are twenty independ-
ent republics reaching from Cuba and
Mexico on the north TO Argentina and
Chile on the south. or these, thir-
teen. or a considerable majority, have
actually. in an official manner, broken
relations with Germany. These are.
arranged Alphabetically: Bolivia,
Brazil. Costa kira, Cuba, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti,
Honduras Nicaragua. Panama, Peru
and Uruguay.
Although Paraguay has not off1-
ciaily severed relations her moral al
titudc is such that she might almost
b. classed in This list, which would
then make fourteen.
Second The following six countries
can be classsed as officially neutral:
Argentina, Chile. Colon la, Mexico,
Salvador and Venezuela. but in strict
terms Paraguay should be included,
which would make seven, or about
oue-third of all the Latin American
governments
Nine In tho Arena
Third. Dlferentiating b e W e n
those which have broken off relations
and those which have actually de-
ciarcd war in a formal manner
against Germany we find that nine
haze actually entered the arena Of
warfare alongside The United States
and the European allies They are
Brazil, Costa Rica Cuba, Dominican
Republic, Guatemala. Haiti Hondu-
ras, Nicaragua and Panama, There
are some that contend that the posi-
ton taken by Uruguay and Peru is
equivalent TO a declaration of war,
hut as their action has not been SO
regarded by Germany they are still
to he C,assed as having only broken
relations. If they were considered as
having actually entered the conflict
they would make the number eleven
which have declared war.
Fourth Stated in other terms, it
can be said that two-thirds of the
total area and three-fifths of the total
population of Latin America have
officially taken action in concert with
the Unitef states and the European
allies This means that out of the
nine millions of square miles OF Latin
American territory and a total popu-
lation of ninety millions, SIX millions
millions Of people are aligned on the
side Of the United States and the
European allies.
I Everybody, however should be fair
in Judging the attitude of the seven
neutral countries. 1t is in my opinion,
unjust to say that they are against
the United States or that they are
pro- Central Allies. IT Is the honest
belief OF those familiar with the situa :
ton that the highest officials of each
OF the neutral countries, in deter
mining the policy of their lands, are
doing what they believe conscien-
/ tiously to be right. None of them.
in their opinion, has had actual Of
fetal cause To declare war and, there
fore their present attitude Is justified
They do not deny the right OF any
country TO act as II sees best and they