Evening star., 1921-11-27
BY BEN McKELWAY.

1
" " tien Of armament. 1t be-
comes more and more ap-
parent that IL Secretary Hughes naval
holiday plan is realised, the "A C''
| countries of Latin America (Argen-
tina, Brazil and Chile) will reach some
similar agreement among themselves.
| the effect of which, while of minor
importance te the rest of the world.
will be of the utmost concern to Latin
America.
| Opinion Is divided and there is moth
| Ing definite upon which to base a
forecast, but comments and observa-
tions by Latin Americans here on the
effect In South America of an agree
| ment among the world powers to
limit naval building Is interesting.
These observations reflect a senti-
ment which is growing in South
America for some agreement to cut
down the cost of armament as q pure
!ly economic measure. not as insurance
| against threatened wars.
The navies of Brazil. Argentina and
Chile today are insignificant when
ing powers. They are Of little impor-
tance outside South America and none
of them is maintained at an expense
comparable to the upkeep of the lead
| Ing navies Of the world. They are no
more than adequate for the patrol of
their coasts. and their present
strength could hardly be diminished
But there is no reason, 1t is pointed
out here. why naval holiday for ten
years would not be agreeable to Ar
gentina. Brazil and Chile, while htere
Is every reason to believe that such
an agreement would be welcomed by
all three powers. There could hardly
be more propftious time for such an
1 agreement. The three countries are
badly in need Of funds for the de-
veiopment Of their natural resources
and the establishment Of domestic in
Idustries. They are at peace and there
are no threatening questions or dis
putes between them which might
bring up the necessity for the main
lenance or their proportionately
| The advantage of Limitation of ar
mament. or a naval holiday, is moth
ing new to South America. 1t was
proven in 1901, when Chile and Ar
gentina, then on the verge of war
| over a boundary. entered into an
agreement to limit building in their
respective navies for a period of five
years That agreement prevented what
would have been devastating war
1or Doth countries and established
them on a friendly basis which exists
today.
The similarity between the Hughes
plan for naval holiday and this
agreement of twenty years ago be-
| tween Argentina and Chile is one of
the things which has caused so much
! interest here among Latin American
| representatives. They argue that it
has been tried already, with complete
! success. and there is no reason why it
! should not be tried again. perhaps
on modified plan to meet present
conditions
The Chilean embassy here has had
translated the original text of her
|agreement with Argentina for naval
holiday. and some of the points are
interesting.
This agreement provided that the
two governments desist from acquir-
ing vessels then in the course of con-
/ struction-scrap them, to all intents
and purposes-and from making fresh
acquisitions. Both governments
tionately. This agreement. it is
interesting to note now, excepted
submarines from the vessels to be
disposed of. and did not affect the
construction of forts or other coastal
Notifications. Reduction of their
navies was effected by the sale of ves-
! sells to neutral countries.
Chile today presents an interesting
phase to the limitation armament
question for South America. With d
coast line of more than 3.000 miles
more than the combined Atlantic and
: Pacific coast of the United States. she
must have an adequate navy to police
. her own shores in time of peace and
/ to preserve her neutrality in case OF
war between some of the larger
world powers. 1t is maintained In
some quarters that she could not
effect any reduction in her present
navy, although she might enter into
Ian agreement not to enlarge it
Chile's need for large navy. COM
! paritively large navy, was shown
during the European war, when her
neutrality was more than once Ques-
| toned. because of her inability to
preserve it in all its phases against
the infringement by at least three OF
the countries at war. Offering ths