Evening star., 1938-12-09

By the Associated Press.
LIMA, Peru, Dec. 9.-United States
delegates to the Eighth Pan-Amer-
ican Conference expressed belief to-
day that President Roosevelt's con-
tinental defense plan would be
adopted as a resolution, but not in
corporated in a pact.
The resolution, they said, would
be simple declaration of the ex-
istence of growing threat to Amer
ican peace from abroad, of the need
for defense against outside aggres-
sion and the determination of each
country to defend itself to the ut
most if attacked.
Argentinas opposition to formal
pact was deemed sufficient to thwart
such a project in the sessions, OPEN
ing today.
Manuel Cordero Reyes, Nicara-
guam foreign minister, asserted that
Nicaragua would support President
Roosevelt's plan.
Nicaragua Would Sign Pact.
Assuming, however, that the con-
ference would discuss only a reso-
luton and not a treaty for COL
lectlve defense, Cordero Reyes said
Nicaragua would agree to put the
principle into force through a BIZ
lateral defense treaty if the United
States deemed advisable such a sys-
tenn of pactS with individual Amer
lean nations.
AS the delegations of 81 nations
assembled for the formal opening
OF the conference. United States
State Department officials whipped
INTO shape a project to coordinate
existing Pan-American peace, con-
Citation and consultation agree
ments into one accord.
Should such code be submitted
for the conferences approval it
would in no way alter present agree
nents. Its only purpose is to elm
mate the necessity of consulting
numerous treaties to determine
points in question and to remove
duplication.
1t will be presented only if una
nimfty In its favor is assured in ad-
vance.
The momentous developments in
Europe and Asia in the past five
years. which have seen the rise of
Naziism, the intensification of Fas-
clsm and the Japanese incursion of
China, made the conference one of
the most important in Pan-Amer-
lean history.
The delegates gathering in the
Peruvian House of Representatives
Tor the inauguration of the confer
ence had in mind economic and per-
haps political steps against the au-
thorltarian states. But from the
United States Secretary of State,
Cordell Hull, who headed his delega-
ton, came the assurance the Amer
lcaS did not seek to cut themselves
from the rest of the world.
Recognize Interdependence.
In pre-conference radio address
last night he declared that the
Americas do not seek regional So
luton for economic problems, but
that they recognize the interde-
pendence" of all nations and are
eager to see their principles adopt
ed by all nations of the world"
Members of his delegation said the
secretary meant not to turn a back
on Europe and Asia, but to turn and
face it, with eyes aware. His assur-
RANGES were seen as directed to Ar
gentina. wishing to retain Old World
Ties, and against some agitation that
the United States direct all its for
elgn trade toward Latin America.
Mr.. Hull said the Americas were
determined peace shall be main
tanned on the American continents, "
that any menace against peace was
a matter of concern to all" and that
the conference would seek to in
crease the effectiveness of meas
ures adopted already to that end"
Argentine sources said DR.. Isidoro
Ruiz Moreno, chairman of the dele
cation, in a conference with Secre-
tary Hull last night agreed to some
sort OF compromise on the United
States-inspired defense plan. The
Argentine group was to study the
proposal further today.
United States officials emphasized
that no negotiations were contem-
plated for conclusion of bilateral
defense treaties with Central Ameri-
can countries.