The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-16

ships, increasingly friendly to Franco, Mussolini and Hitler: rapidly drifting away from democracy. Out of twenty Pan- American republics, all but five Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica and Venezuela - are com plete or seYni- -dictatorShlps.
 Some time ago. in explaining to a group of churchmen his motives for building a big navy, Roose- welt pointed out that with both Africa and Asia now completely colonized by modern nations, the only undeveloped area in the world was South America. He ex. pressed the fear that sooner or later Germany and Italy might turn their eyes toward our south- ern neighbors. 3$l
 This, he said. was onc of the big reasons why he had built up the Navy. "Y intend to stand by the Monroe Doctrine" he de. clared. 'in It's pristine purity" Further Undermining
 Now, however, without either armies or navies, the two chief dictatorships of Europe - Ger. many and Italy-are increasing their prestige and power iil South America, seriously undermining Roosevelt's Good Neighbor policy.
 They are accomplishing this through several mediums, the most important being: r.'
 1. The conquest of Spain. Latin America traditionally follows the mother country, and with dc. tatorship virtually set up in Spain, our Good Neighbors" are doing likewise.
 For this the State Depart.
 ment has only itself to thank. Its career boys were sympa. thetic to Franco. imposed ex. trcme embargoes against the
 Spanish Government contrary to aII international precedent.
 NOTE -. How closely Latin America follows Europe was indi. cated last week when the new dictatorship in Brazil took over, almost word for word, the Portrl. guese constitution. Portugal, o. dictatorship, Is the mother country of Brazil. ''
 Peaceful Penetration
 ?. Forced barter. Both Italy and Germany have refused to buy from Latin American coun- l tries, unless the latter bought equal amounts from them. This has given big impetus to Nazi. Fascist trade, undercutting D. 8. exports despite the Hull treaties and despite the fact that this county is Latin Americas best customer. ..-
 3. Radio propaganda. Italy and Germany operate high-powered radio stations which pour propa. ganda daily into all Latin Amers flea. Spoken in Spanish and Portuguese, 1t hasa large follow. ing.
 1. Naval vessels. Because of low cost naval construction ifi Eue rope, many Latin American couns tries have ordered warshipS built abroad. Italy and England are the chief constructors. It was to head of the foreign purchase of destroyers by Brazil that the State Department pro. posed to leave over-age .. g. destroyers to her or any south American government. since Brazil became a dictatorship, this plan has been shelved.
 Government adio Station
 To offset Nasi and Fascist radio propaganda, you may find the adminstration backing the Celler bill, establishing U. s. Govern. ment radio station. So far private radio companies have failed lamentably in South America.
 The U. S. has six wave.
 lengths reserved for broadcast
 ing direct to our Good Neigh.
 bors, but until recently they
 were unused. Now with de.
 mands for the return of these
 channels expected at the Inter-
 national leediO Conference, the
 State Department has gotten
 busy. Broadcasts it has started,
 however, arc in English. not
 Spanish. and our Good Neigh
 bors immediately turn the dial
 NOTE--When Roosevelt makes | speech critical of dictatorship, 1t Is not published in many Latin American countries.
 Boundary Disputes n%%
 A lot of Good Neishbors also