Evening star., 1936-06-02


countries are today seeking
refuge within their own continent
and expect to secure Uncle Sans
cooperation to organize at least the
Western Hemisphere into a peaceful
world
On the other side Of the Atlantic
Great Britain, equally aware OF the
failure of the Geneva institution as
peace-promoting machinery, is arm
ing as fast as her enormous indus
trial and financial resources will per-
nit her. Meanwhile the eyes of her
political leaders are turned once more
towards the United States as the only
remaining stabililng power in the
world. President Roosevelt and the
State Department hear almost daily
appeals for assistance from the
southern continent and from the
British Empire.
The American diplomats believe
that a sincere AmeriCan-BritiSh CO.
operation, based on fair play for every
nation, might, even when the danger
of another war is so imminent, pre-
vent the outbreak of such a catas-
trophe. But they doubt that the
American people, who had a lesson
18 years ago, would approve of such
a step. At the State Department, Sir
Ronald Lindsay, the British Ambas-
sador, is told that London's argu-
ments are excellent, but 1t takes
time, more time than Britain or the
world can afford, to convert public
opinion in this country.
Britain Preparing Feverishly.
Great Britain is feverishly prepar-
ing for war in the hope that her
military regeneration may postpone
the great tragedy, permit the United
States to organize at least one section
of the world into peaceful political
unit, and then :. we shall see.
The Pan-American conference which
will be held this Fall at Buenos Aires
is likely to offer the rest of the world
an example of how cooperation be-
tween nations speaking different
languages, of different racial origins
and different creeds, can cooperate.
The idea of an American League Of
Nations is gaining ground. Colombia,
Peru, Dominican Republic, Guatemala,
Bolivia and Ecuador are definitely en-
dorsing such an idea. The State De-
partment has already received con-
crete proposal from the Colombian
republic for the creation Of a peace
regulating organization for the Ameri-
can continents.
The Colombian proposal has points
which will prove controversial when
the matter is taken under considera-
ton, but on the whole 1t Is sound
The Colombians propose;
/. The cancellation of article 2l
of the old Covenant, which recognized
the principle of the Monroe Doctrine;
2. The creation of a Covenant for
the American continents to replace
all existing Pan-American agencies;
3. The holding of an assembly every
year, to discuss North American prob
lens, in the capital of a western
nation;
4. The clear definition Of an aggres-
sor nation and practical sanctions
against such an aggressor;
S. Equality of all nations;
6. Cooperation with the Geneva
organization in Europe, with the un-
derstanding that American disputes
shall be settled by the American
League;
7. The right of this league to
designate the American members in
the European organization.
London Favors American League.
The plan of an American League
of Nations is looked upon favorably
in London, where it is hoped that
eventually Canada and Australia
might be accepted members. In any
case, Downing Street, after the fasco
of the Geneva organization, believes
that division of powers into regional
sections would materially assist the
organization of world peace.
But while the administration In
Washington is earnestly preparing for
the Buenos Aires conference, there
are clouds in the offing which, unless
dispersed in time, may jeopardize the
efforts of the diplomats Of the
Americas.
Internal troubles are likely to occur
during this Summer in Nicaragua,
Panama, Bolivia and Guatemala, but
that is of little consequence. The
possibility of trouble in Cuba and
Mexico, however, is worrying the
American Government considerably.
Revolutions against these two govern