Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-20
LEAGUE OF NATIONS GAINS
FAVOR in LATIN AMERICA
Disillusionment Shifts to Faith After
Bloc Is Formed-U. S. Changed
Though Skeptical.

nave 4Sam JOIned IN the Leagues ac-
tlvities, as II they had renewed their
lost confidence In Geneva.
This time, however, they returned
with different intentions. They had
learned their lesson. Last year, pre-
liminary to the opening Of the Leagues
Assembly. all the Latin American dele
gates got together and resolved to con-
stitute regional bloc for the exercising
OF joint action. Alone they had been
disregarded; together they could be in
position TO make their influence felt
by the rest Of the Leagues members.
In union there Is strength As soon
as the announcement of this peace
alliance" among the Latin American
representatives to the League was made.
reports were spread In international
circles that the Latin American Bloc
would Immediately exercise its influences
TO gain q larger participation in fhs
World Court. the Leagues permanent
tribunal Of international justice.
So they did, and soon they had an
opportunity to verify the value Of
unified action, when the Leagues
Council, fulfilling their wishes, elected
three Latin American judges among the
10 who were to compose the permanent
tribunal of the World Court. They
were: Sanchez de Bustamente. from
Cuba; Guerrero, from Salvador, and
Urrutia, from Colombia.
Obtain More Prestige.
This new policy Of cooperation in
itiated in last years Assembly by the
Latin American delegations, and its i'm
mediate results, were interpreted in
Geneva as assigning to latin America
new and more importaiss role In the
League.
or course, together with the growing
prestige Of Latin America In Geneva,
there developed @ sudden interest among
the Leagues directors to cultivate and
increase the sympathies Of the Latin
American governments toward the
League.
1t was undoubtedly with this in mind
that the Leagues Council, not long ago,
acted rapidly in the case Of the border
clashes between Bolivians and Para
guayans over the Chaco territorial dis.
pute. The promptness and efficacy with
which the League elaborated in avert
ing q crisis In that South American
dispute were regarded as an indication
OF the growing importance accorded In
Geneva to Latin American affairs.
And only recently, at the beginning
Of this year, q final proof came to cor
roborate the impression that the
Leagues directors had fully realized the
And that they were out to assure It In
definite way. This was the personal
tour that Sir Eric Drummond, perma-
nent secretary general Of the Leagues
Council, made to South America only
few months ago.
Eric Takes Diplomatic Trip.
When the Leagues high executive I'M
dertook such long journey through
the Latin republics, and gave 1t full
publicity, II was easy to realize that
he was seeking something else than q
glance at the natural beauties and pic
turesQue landscapes of the Southern
countries. Editorial opinion throughout
theS continent Immediately recognized
behind Sir Eric's trip something more
than pleasure -seeking or q mere diplos
matte courtesy to the young republics
Of Latin origin.
Eric Drummond accomplished his mis-
sion. he was welcomed with the most
exquisite refnements of traditional
Latin hospitality. He heard everywhere
phrases of laudatory encouragement for
the Leagues work. He received boiI-
Quets Of flowers and shining decorations.
And, above everything else, he left the
impression that the League Of Nations
was at last considering seriously the
national world.
With all these antecedents in view,
the invitation which the League for
warded last week to Mexico to become
its hfty-flfth member should not have
been q surprise. The invitation. and
even the "amende honorable made to
Mexico for the Leagues past attitude
when that country was eliminated from
the original list Of founder members
Is only q logical corollary to the
Leagues present Irritation" with Latin
America.
Mexico Gets Invitation.
In the meantime, while the invitation
to Mexico was being forwarded. senior
Alexandra Lerroalx, the president Of
the Leagues Assembly, which opened
last week, sent q special message "
greetings and good viii TO the Latin
American republics.
Naturally, these demonstrations have
q double effect. In streSsinr the i'm
portance Of Latin American action In
the League they contribute to increase
the interest and efforts Of the Latin
American governments in Geneva. This
interest, In its turn, results in an ever
growing influence Of Latin America in
the League.
And, of course, 1t Is only logical that
Latin American confidence In the
League of Nations should also grow,
and run parallel to this increased
influence.