Evening star., 1923-01-28
CHILE WILL REDUCE ARMY
BELIEVING WAR PERIL PAST
Leads South American Republics in Steps
to Attract U. S. Capital by Making
investments Safer.

can countries, should foster the sug-
gestion for reducing South American
armies. Chile has been accused Of
being militaristic. Her army, fash
chine, Is the third largest in South
America. Since the war Of the Pa
cific she has not been on friendly
terms with two of her next doeT
neighbors. At times in recent years
there have been indications of an
open break which could lead only TO
a devastating war There is enough
sincerity behind her proposal to carry
1t far toward ultimate realization.
Needs Capital to Develop Resources.
Chile's military establishment af-
fords good example of the practioal
value of cutting down South Amer
lean armies. Her army consumes
approximately 80 per cent of her
country's revenue. It's soldiers repre-
sent men who could do more by being
taught construction than drilled in
the methods of destruction. Chile js
one of the foremost of the South
American republics in inviting invest
ment of American capital in the de-
velopment of her natural resources.
One Of the most convincing guar
antees that this investment shouId
prove sound is a definite step toward
preserving peace that will protect
the investor. IL
From many angles the forthcoming
conference in Santiago is regarded
as the most important since the
creation Of the Pan-American Con-
gress. For the first time a program
has been devised which contains more
than the ordinary subjects for pleas
ant debate and gracious handshaking.
program is received depends, to a
large extent, the future Of the Pam
American Congress, whether IL Is ts
remain a medium for the exchange
Of honeyed messages of brotherfy
love. or whether II is to become a
clearing house for the sincere discus
sion and disposal of important Pau
American problems.
Pan-American League Proposed.
In addition to the limitation Of
armament proposal on the program
there is another important question 70
be decided-Uruguay's plan for
an-American league. This latter
suggestion received the unanimous
approval OF the governing board OF
the Pan n-American Cnion-composed
of representatives in Washington OF
all the Latin American republics
for insertion in the program for
the fifth Pan-American Congress. Bqt
1t is difficult to find in Washington
a very favorable sentiment behind II.
Certain expressions from authoritR4
tive sources would indicate its adop-
tion in the program was accomplished
as matter of expediency. -
The majority of the South American
republics are members of the league
of nations Their support of that
institution is beside the point. What
is emphasized by those who frankly
oppose the Uruguayan proposal is
that it is not good policy to try 10
divide the world into geographically
defined leagues. Some opponents Of
the idea do not like the picture of
having one foot in a European and
the other in a South American league.
And. while the Pan-American League
would supplement-for South Amer
ica-the European league. some Of
the South American republics haNe
certain amount Of faith in the
original league of nations. 1t has
. not been abandoned altogether. ~
The Pan-AmericaH Congress, in
addition, furnishes the nucleus FOR
a very satisfactory league among the
American republics, and what it
lacks in teeth" are supplied a-plentg
by the Monroe doctrine-which, from
past experience. may be found elastic
enough to bear stretching.