The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-25
SAFETY ZONE
FOR AMERICANS
Ocean Belt Closed to For
eign BeIIigerents Pro-
posed at Conference
DE- HoBART 6. MoNTEE

(United Press Stan Correspondent)
Panama City. Sept. IS - UP) =
Proposals for broad safety zone"
around the American hemisphere
an ocean belt In which all foreign
belliserent activity would be for
bidden-were discussed today by
delegates to the Inter-American
neutrality conference today as q
means Of Insulating the new world
against the European War.
A belt extending 300 miles out
from the coasts Of the north and
south American continents was con-
sidered.
One plan called for a Joint naval
patrol Of the boundaries Of the belt
to make sure no nation -infrineed
American neutrality.
Chief delegates Of the American
Republics meet as a committee Of
the whole at 10 a. m. today 30 a. m.
EST. preparing for a pleliary meet
ing ct 4 p. m. and It was expected
that the safety zone proposal would
get It's first formal consideration
then.
Delegates Of several nations COL
Elaborated In proposing the safety
belt" regard here as a serlSa tional
new development in international
law. It was forecast that among
several plans under consideration BY
individual delegations Joint plan,
embodying the best features of all
proposals would be drafted and put
up TO the conference.
Cordially and cooperative spirit
were so great among delegates that
theer was general feeling that this
conference would prove one of the
most important, II not the most Inn
portant, ever held by the American
Republics.
II was expected that the chief
delegates this morning would decide
procedure for introducing the safety
zone and other proposals to the con-
ference as whole.
Speeches at this afternoons plen-
airy conference were expected to
point to the paths neutrality, con-
tinental defense and economic pro-
poeals would take.
Sumner Welles, chief delegate Of
the United States, speaks about 5
p. m. He proposed at first to speak
In Spanish, but decided to speak in
English so his address could be
broadcast throughout the United
States public.
Economy problems, particularly
proposals aimed at ''cushionirg" the
hemisphere against the effects of
thS war. were scheduled to play an
important part In the conference.
These proposals pointed toward
stimulating nter-American trade In
order to Offset a drop In foreign
trade balances due to dwindling or
ders from warning countries. It was
forecast that bi-lateral and multi
ltaeral agreements, that is, agree
ments direct among two nations or
among groups Of nations which
might aid each other, would find
favor.
Come proposals were expected TO
be based on the credits extended by
the United States to Brazil, Near
aqua, Paraguay, Haiti and other
countries.
But most interest was shown IL,
the safety zone plan. Adoption of
such Q plan would be Of historic ma
| tuxe.
Il would involve drastic changes
In international relationship. Dele
gates foresaw that 1t would particu-
Larry affect the British navy, which
has exercised the right under inter-
national law to search neutral ships
for contraband, during wars in
(which Great Britain was involved,
Anywhere outside the three-mile
territorial limit Of national waters.
Extension Of neutrality control
beyond present territorial limits was
made necessary, 1t was said, because
of the development Of modern long
raneg guns and speedy, long range
warships and bombing airplanes.
Prescription Of a broad safety
zone was regarded now as Of tre-
mendous potential importance to the
Panama Canal zone.
oFreign warships would be for
bidden under the plan, to intercept
or seize belligerent ship within the
safety halt"