Evening star., 1938-12-16
BY ANDRUE BERDING,

AssUciateo Press Foreign correspondent.
LIMA, Peru, Dec. 16.-The United
States, after obtaining the unan-
imous consent of the other 20 Amer
lcan republics, today presented 10
the Pan-American Conference a
sweeping resolution calling for re.
duction of barriers to international
trade. The resolution is expected to
receive speedy formal conference &C.
ceptance.
The United States obtained this
snow OF unanimity at a time when
Argentine suspicion of Washingtons
future foreign policy appeared likely
to become a strong factor in con-
ference developments.
The trade resolution declared
against excessive barriers
whether in the form of unreasonably
high tariffs; quotas, licenses, ex-
change controls and other types of
quantitative restriction; methods of
administering commercial exchange
and monetary policies which impair
the maintenance of commercial op-
portunity between all foreign sup
pliers"
Fear Possible U. S. Aggression.
Discussing the aggression declara-
ton. members of the Argentine dele
cation insist the United States
! should be considered a potential ag-
gressor, and they want resolution
to provide for defense against in
curAon by any nation.
Consideration of a cooperative
defense plan so far has been con-
cerned mainly with the possibility
of attack from nations outside the
Americas, and delegates have said
they had in mind the dictator,
authoritarian regimes of Europe.
The Argentines said they feared
a change of administration in
Washington might bring an end to
or alteration on the present good
neighbor" policy. There was little
indication of support for this thesis
by other delegations.
Force on Debts Found Indicated.
One among their delegation said
the United States was opposing a
Mexican Argentine resolution
against collection of government
debts by force and contended this
was an indication the United States
might one day decide to take force
full action against Latin American
nation.
The Argentine delegation also was
firmly resolved that no formal de-
tense pact should be adopted by the
convention. The United States has
shown willingness to forego its
own wishes for pact.
Secretary Hull's delegation indi-
Gated 1t would be content with a
strong resolution. if it included a
frank declaration against aggres-
sion from nations outside the Amer
icas.
The Brazilian leader, Alfranio de
Mello Franco, said last night that
the likely result of the controversy
would be a declaration of policy
signed by the 81 nations attending
the conference. He spoke after con-
ferences with Argentine leaders and
Secretary Hull.
Mello Franco said tentative draft
OF resolution now was going the
rounds of the delegations for final
modification. 1t is combination OF
four specific plans presented by
Argentina, the United States, Chi
and Peru. The Argentines sa!
their plan was used as the basis
the single draft.
Unification Project Offered.
AS corollary to the conferer
endeavors to perpetuate peace,
United States yesterday presented
project to unity all existing pc,
agreements among the republics.
1t would create something of =
pam American peace constitute.
Arbitration boards would be esta,-
lished, With membership to incluCa
representatives of nations in dispute
and disinterested arbiters named by
the Inter- American Arbitration
Commission set up under the WASH
ington agreement of 1923.
The United States gave much
consideration today to resolution
for economic disarmament, which
still lacks two or three signatures to
make it unanimous among all dele
cations.
The delegations were agreed OH
necessity of reducing trade barriers,
but some felt it could not be done
at once. The United States pro-
posal calls for lowering tariffs
through bilateral agreements and
removal of administrative restric-
tions on trade. and urges equality
in economic opportunity.
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