Evening star., 1938-07-14
9 LATIN NATIONS
ABANDON LEAGUE
Venezuela Latest to Show
American Drift Away
From Europe.
BY DEWITT MACKENZIE.

Associated Press Foreign Affairs Writer.
NEW YORK. July 14.-veneElela's
withdrawal from the League of Ma
tions (making the ninth Latin Amer
lean country to abandon that organ
ization) u another forcible demonstra-
ton that the Americas are pulling
away from Europe and are seeking
security and self-suficiency among
themselves.
The projected League Of American
NAtions-proposed last March through
the Pan American Union-would seem
to havs-drawn bit nearer.
This would replace European de-
Tendencies with an All-American
brotherhood. 1t would make the
Monroe Doctrine-long regarded by
many Latin states as = threat to
sovereignty-a matter Of mutual
advantage.
Trade Relations Extended.
But If the League Of American Ma
tions seems . bit dificult Of achieve
ment, We have the accomplished fact
Of very considerable extension Of
trade relations and friendship between
the United States and the Latin coun-
tries. Secretary OF State Hull thus
far has joined hands with IL Western
Hemisphere nations in his reciprocal
trade pActs.
There are several reasons for the
tendency Of Latin American states
to trek back to the home fold after
diverse adventures in foreign lands.
Washington's good neighbor" policy,
however, ID widely credited with hav-
ing been responsible for the removal
Of inhibitions which stood in the way
Of cooperation between the small
Latin countries and their big neighbor
to the north.
Up until Z comparatively recent time
many Latin countries held Uncle Sam
to be . predatory giant. At least, if
he hadn't actually held anybody up
with gun. he had 1t in mind. That
viewpoint seems to be disappearing.
Collapse Of Security Ideal.
Another thing which is driving
American countries back home Is the
collapse of the ideal Of collective Sc
curity. The straw that probably broke
the camels back was when Britain
and France signified to the League Of
Nations their intention of recognizing
Italy's conquest Of Ethiopia.
Small nations which had been re-
garding the League as q place of Ger
tain refuge suddenly discovered that
their retreat was plenty drafty. 80
why pay rent on it?
There is another reason for with
drawal Of some nations from the
League. It has been alleged that Eng
land and France in particular have
used the organization to further their
own interests. Italy and Germany,
among others, have made this charge
Which. naturally, has been cate
gorically denied by the accused.
It may be appropriate here to in
terpolate that one reason the United
States never joined the League was
fear that somebody, sometime might
attempt skullduggery in using the ma
chinery Of the League for his own ends.
Ninth to Leave League.
Venssuela is the ninth Latin Ameri-
can country to sign of with the League.
Twenty Western Hemisphere republics
originally belonged
1t isn't particularly surprising to see
Venezuela make this move. Her for
eisn minister, DR.. Gil Borges, who
wields great influence, is PAN American
from the crown Of his head to the
tip Of his boots. He was long assistant
director Of the Pan-American Union
IN Warrington, and Is q firm friend
OF this country. During an extended
visit to Venezuela q couple of years
ago found DR.. Gil BorHes keen on