Evening star., 1934-05-20
BAN ON ARMS SEEN.
UNFAIR TO BOLIVIA.
Minister Says Embargo
Would Favor Paraguay
in Chaco War.

Continued From First Page.)
In the files of the Senate Foreign Re.
lations Committee since 1925, was re-
vived at the Presidents instance
Ratification was expected in q week
or so.
But these measures were not con-
sidered suf1cient, in the opinion of
State Department experts. Even after
they have been made effective there
would be nothing to prevent indi-
viduals in adjacent nations from buy
ing arms for reshipment to the war;
ring countries.
Two Inland Nations.
The circumstances of geography
furnish one of the situations most
important factors. Both Bolivia and
Paraguay are inland nations.
Chile and Peru separate Bolivia from
the Pacific. The jungles of Brazil
bound both nations on the north and
east. To the south of both countries
lies Argentina.
For practical purposes the only ac-
cess to Bolivia is by way Of four rail-
road lines transversing Peru and Chile.
There is but one commercial avenue
into Paraguay, the Paraguay River,
flowing through Argentina.
The situation with respect to the
latter is complicated by Paraguay's
claim that the stream is an 'interna-
tional river" and that Argentina has
no power to interfere with commerce
flowing between Paraguay and the sea.
Argentina Honors Claim.
Argentina has never specifically con-
ceded that point, but in practice has
been inclined to honor the claim.
In addition to conversations between
the United States and the four nations
bounding the belligerents, Peru and
Chile are discussing the situation bi-
laterally.
Manuel de Freyre of Santanver, Pc
ruvian Ambassador, called on Sumner
Welles. Assistant Secretary Of State in
charge of South American relations,
yesterday and was understood to have
told him that while there was nothing
definite to report yet, Peru and Chile
would act in concert when the time
for action arrived.
The granting Of presidential power
to prohibit arms shipments is made
difhcult by treaties with Bolivia and
Paraguay assuring an unrestricted fiow
of commerce between the United States
and those nations. To circumvent this
the resolution introduced in Congress
at MI. Roosevelt's request provides re-
strictions on sale of arms In this
country only to either of the fighting
nations.
The old treaties-dating back to
1883 and l859-make it impossible. in
the opinion OF administration advisers,
to declare an outright arms embargo
q course which, it is felt, would more
readily accomplish the purpose Of the
President
For this reason, the administration
must reluctantly say mo" to the Mu-
nitions Committee of the League of
Nations when it approaches the
Washington Government soon on the
possibility of the declaration of such
an embargo by all the great arms
producing nations.
Cooperation Preferred.
In his message to Congress Friday.
the President stressed the importance
Of international action, and at the
same time 1t was made clear the
United States was determined to go
ahead to the limit of its ability alone,
If necessary. but preferably in Coop
Grafton with other countries.
In fact, there is an inclination here
to accuse some large but unnamed
European nations of dilatory tactics
on the question. This was reflected
in a statement to newspapermen by
Secretary Hull that he sincerely
hoped other nations would take ac-
tion instead of merely talking about it.
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