Evening star., 1936-12-09
Rift At BuenOs Aires.

Proceedings at Buenos Aires today may
produce showdown destined to deter
mine whether the Inter-American Con-
ference is to achieve positive arrange
ments for Pan-American isolation from
European war or be doomed to wind up
in blaze of that platitudinous ineffec-
tiveneSs, against which Secretary Hull
80 earnestly inveighs. Clearly defined
differences have arisen over the question
as to the precise brand of neutrality to
which the sister Americas should pledge
themselves. The specific issue at stake
is whether the conference should erect
definite barriers against American en-
broilment in transatlantic conflict or
indulge in innocuous resolutions con-
fined to confirming the New Worlds
pious passion for peace.
Argentina is believed to incline toward
. position which would not completely
sever the Western democracies from as
ISOLATION with European peace ma
chinery, notably the League of Nations.
The accomplished Argentine foreign
minister, Carlos Saavedra Lamas, only
recently presided over the Assembly at
Geneva and later received the Nobel
peace prize. In consequence, his coun-
try enjoys deserved rank as new
factor in international politics. The
chief arbiter of it's foreign affairs, who
3r o1c DF ha &c
correspondingly unSympathetic with
projects that would seem to minimize
the enhanced status in world affairs
which Argentina has just attained.
Moreover, sixteen of the American re-
publics, or roundly four-fifths of them,
are members of the League, though they
are inspired with varying degrees of
enthusiasm for that enfeebled institu-
ton, ranging all the way from Argen-
tinas fervent loyalty to the lukewarm-
ness Of the Central American group
which favors the creation Of q purely
American league as mutually defensive
alliance.
Secretary Hull, supported by Brazilian
Foreign Minister Soares, espouses pro-
gram designed effectually to immunize
the Western Hemisphere from Old World
war and to solidify Pan-American self
suffciency. Both General Justo, Presi-
dent of Argentina, and Senor Saavedra
Lamas, in their opening addresses to
the conference, reflected hostility to any,
thing savoring of isolationism. They
were at pains to reassure Europe that
nothing would be done at Buenos Aires
to burn the ancient bridges which have
traditionally united Latin America with
governments and civilizations across the
ocean. Nowadays in certain cases these
ties are strengthened by economic rela-
tions which there is a comprehensive
wish not to undermine.
It is thus obvious that diametrical
differences have arisen, and there is no
gainsaying their gravity. On their solu-
ton may well depend the question Of
conference success or failure. Filled with
common desire to avoid rift, Argen-
tina, Brazil and the United States are
Jointly taking the lead in attempting to
iron out the pending divergence, and
to that end are in restless communica-
tion among themselves and the other
republics. Only in quarters outside this
hemisphere would there be rejoicing
over the demonstrated inability of the
American states to bury their hatchets.
Because of the immeasurably unfortu-
nate consequences of discord, it is I'M
thinkable that harmony at Buenos Aires
will not finally prevail, but the good
neighbor spirit is clearly face to face
with an acid test on q fundamental
proposition.