Evening star., 1938-11-13

complete the scheme?" asked these
people. They pointed out the folly of
even imagining that we might be con-
fronted with situation in which we
would have to defend both oceans. Gen.
MacArthur's war game theme no longer
seems fantastic.
The developments of the last months
have relegated Great Britain and
France, chief bearers of the democratic
torch in Europe, to secondary roles. Both
countries are panicky. They fear the
loss of territories. France is faced with
italian demands for the surrender of
protectorates, such as Tunis; by the
probability that the Japanese will shortly
demand the application of an Asiatic
Monroe Doctrine and expect that the
freedom" Great Britain will soon be
called upon to surrender her mandates
over former German colonies and pos
sibly to give up Hong Kong and other
Asiatic possessions.
British, French Don't Trust Us.
The feeling of the French and the
British governments toward the United
States continues as friendly as in the
past. But they see no hope of securing
our active support should they refuse to
comply with the demands of the totali-
tarians. We are accused of giving lip
encouragement to resist the dictator
ships, but at showdown we shout. mo
entaglements!' and leave them in the
lurch. Hence, for purely selfish reasons,
they consider they could compensate for
their losses if they joined economic
forces with the others against us.
The totalitarians are searching not
only for outlets for their surplus popula-
ton and their manufactures. There are
raw materials in the Southern Hemi-
sphere which do not exist in sufficient
quantities either in the Danubian Basin
or in the colonies which may be returned
to them in the course of the next few
months. Manganese, rubber, oil, tropical
products, copper, nitrates-all these exist
in enormous quantities in the republics
south of the Rio Grande
If the United States were to gain per-
manent and solid strongholds in these
republics, the imperialistic dreams of the
totalitarians might have to vanish.
Hence, the recantation from those who
suggested the third empire in the New
World" dominated by the United States
Government
United States Task Not Easy.
The test of the ability of the United
States to maintain democracy In the
Southern Hemisphere is not as easy as
it appears on the surface. True, most of
the South American governments are fol-
lowing at least the forms of democracy.
Many governments. especially that of
Brazil, are sincerely friendly to the
United States. A large number of Latin
American statesmen are keen on the pam
American ideas and ideals. But such an
attitude does not apply to the masses
which, in the last resort, decide what
governments they should have.
The population which takes an active
part in political decisions in Latin Amer
lea is of German Italian, British, Portu-
guese and Spanish stock. Most of these
people have maintained ties with their
mother countries and are sympathetic to
their own people. Generally they tend to
do business with those from the home
land.
Many Spanish Americans cheer Hitler
and Mussolini because they support the
upholder of the Catholic Church in Spain.
Generalissimo Franco. They will cheer
Chamberlain and be interested in Portu-
gals wavering allegiance between Italy
and Great Britain. But they have few, if
any, sentimental ties with this country.
No United Americas.
While today a number of Latin Amer
ican governments are devoted to the
United States, this sentiment may
change if the Europeans know how to
MAY their cards. The Latin American
populations must be strenuously trained
if they are to digest American
ideals. 1t is as much of fallacy to speak
of the united Americas as it is Of united
Europe. Each republic is rabidly in
divdualistic and intends to remain so.
It would fight to the last man If her
independence were threatened. but that
does not mean that she would not well
come German. Italian or British influ-
ence in the country-if it can be proven
that such influence would be remunera-
tive.
It is this particular situation which is
being so we'll exploited by the total
itarian states, and the day may come in
the not too distant future when they
may be Joined by the European democ-
racies. Efforts will continue to be made
by this administration to rally the Latin
Americans around pan-American ideals
Mistakes of the past are being mended.
The Lima conference next month will
star another get-together effort, and it
is hoped that it will be more successful
than last years Buenos Aires conference
But the administration is seriously con-
cerned over the possibility that the pres
ent platonic manifestations may bring
few effective results in the face of
concerted drive by the non American
powers. And since we live in a world
where Drawn is more important than
brains, necessary armament preparations
the being speeded up.
(Copyright. 193s)