The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-13
ARGENTINA
United States Now Understood
in South America.
Argentina in Same Position as
U. S. Before War.
BY ROY w. HOWARD.

Buencs Aires, April 13-"Argen-
tina is not Indifferent towards the in
ternatlonal conflagration now raging.
nor is her course or her attitude 20
be construed as unsympatheric or cold
towards the United States. The diff
ficIities of her position possibly are
not fully understood in the United
States.
What our past actions have been
is known, even if they have some
TINES Feen misinterpreted. Only fu
ture developments will shape our fu-
ture International policy, but no mis-
understanding of past developments
should cause a pre-judgment of Ar
gentina's future policy to her disad-
vartase."
With a sincerity and straightfor-
wardness, carrying even greater i'm
port tnan his words. Hipolyto Irigoy-
en-. president of Argentina, in an
exclusive interview granted to the
United Press Friday afternoon in the
/ Rose House, Argentina's White House,
belied the insinuations of his enc
mles that he is unsynpathetic to-
wards the allies and cold, even un-
! friendly, to North America.
Spoke With Directness.
| Prefacing his remarks with an ap-
/ probation of North American jour-
I quaintance between the United States
and Argentina, and voicing his pleas
ure that the Argentines are recogniz-
ing tardily, perhaps, the tremendous
importance of such an acquaintance,
he discussed for nearly an hour the
international complications which
! have focused the attention of the
! world on Argentina.
! His talk was devoid of mincing of
words, of hair splitting and fine shades
of meaning. On the contrary he spoke
with the directness and conviction of
a statesman sure of himself and of the
defensibility of his position and pal
pably made no attempt to carry
water on both shoulders.
Future Course Doubtful.
When interrogated regarding Ar
gentlna'S not breaking with Germany
in the face of great popular demands
for a declaration of war after Ger
many had affronted the republic, he
said; The position of a neutral is
very difficult. 1t is not always under
stood by belligerents as the United
States will appreciate. The mlsunder-
standing of Argentinas positions is
quite evident to US. but it would not
be well for the world to pre-judge Ar
gentina's future course, in the event of
further German. affronts. except upon
a tul understanding of her past
course and her present position.
When she was affronted by Ger
many, Argentina, acting in accord
ance with international procedure de-
manded an apology and repaIation
When both were granted, Arge ntina
under the law was unable to proceed
further. regardless of individual opin-
ions and natural sentiments When
Germany made reparation upon oul
demands, our course was dictated as
certainly as was that of the United
States thruout the period of her Ions
neutrality.
Same As q. s. Neutrality
1T is no time noW to discuss ou1
course in the event of further affronts
but there is no justification for doubt
ing US meanwhile
: "Altho herself rushed with wal
preparations the United States Ger.
tainly does not mistake, and is MOI
: blind to, Argentina's sympathy an(
warm feeling, which = we have ex
pressed on every occa sion since tn.
: United States entered the war. I an
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