Evening star., 1938-12-21
BY HENRY ]. ALLEN.

BY HENRY ]. ALLEN.
LIMA.-As the end of the first
week of the Pan-American Con-
gress approaches, we get fairly
accurate sense of it's spirit, or rather
Of Its state of being almost entirely
spiritless.
Thus far the congress has had
the polemic power of an interna-
tional Rotary convention.
It has been heralded to bring a
frank and fearless discussion of
the international issues. Eloquent
prophets said it would be the great
est international sounding board
ever set up in the Americas. At
a time of peculiar disharmony in
the European world the American
democracies would get together and
provide a picture Of constructive
solidarity that would build a new
basis for a healthy cooperation.
A new program of strength would
ensue, based upon frank appraisal
of our differing relationships and
interobligations.
The ghostly shadows OF the Eu-
. ropean relationships now disturb
ing the international union would
be exercised. We would take off
our formal gloves and tackle our
common problems, including the
growing penetration of the revolu-
tionary practices and policies, the
increase of labor relationships of
Communist pattern, the growing
menace of property seizures such
as have expressed themselves in
large confiScations in Bolivia and
Mexico against citizens of the
= United States and other nationals
owing property in those countries.
The definition of good neighbor,
which has been tortured by gro
tesquely unneighborly acts, would
receive sober attention and new
charter of faith and mutual inter-
est would take the place of rela-
tionship that has lacked all these
fine qualities in some states.
Believe Congress Devitalized.
These. were our dreams when a
week ago the curtain was raised
on the formally -attired delegates of
All American republics amid scenes
of great dignity and hushed ex-
pectancy.
After several days of oratory
there is growing belief that the
congress has been devitalized by
a common understanding that no
controversial issues will be taken up.
The platitudinous addresses of
the respective republics which we
have been getting at the rate of
two day for week have in them
q tone of deadly sameness.
I think it generally agreed that
the best speech was made by Sec
retary of State Hull. When he ap-
peared in the hushed chamber he
was a figure to arouse national
pride. His handsome and digni-
fled presence created a favorable
impression. The convention is
equipped with modern invention.
On each delegates desk is a tele-
phone. AS Mr.. Hull spoke the dele
rates of the various republics had |
only to fix the phone connections |
to their ears and Mr. Hull's speech
came through, translated in their
respective languages. They saw
him speaking English, but the tele-
phones gave them translated ad-
dress so that their understanding
of his speech was concurrent with
Its utterance.
The address, which had profound
and moving periods, received less
applause than might we'll have been
expectd.
Argentina's Attitude Dominant.
When he said: Each and all of
us desire to live at peace with
every nation of the world. But
there must not be a shadow of a
doubt anywhere as to the determi-
nation of the American nations not
to permit the invasion of this
hemisphere by the armed forces
OF any power or of any combina-
ton of powers. Each of our ma
tions obviously must decide for it
self what measures it should take
in order to meet its share of our
common interest and responsibility
in this respect. AS far as my own
country is concerned. let no one
doubt for moment that. as long
as the possibility of armed chal-
lenge exists, the United States will
maintain adequate defensive mill