Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-07-10
BY JOSEPH S. EDGERTON,
Star Aviation Editor.

CRISTOBAL, C. z. (By AirmaiD
The Panama Canal, regarded as
the backbone of American defense
at least, pending the completion of
the proposed "two-ocean" Navy-to-
day is the scene of military activi-
ties on virtually a full wartime
basis, with construction projects
aggregating we'll over a quarter bill
lion dollars in progress in all parts
CT the Canal Zone.
There has been a noticeable in
crease in tension in the Caribbean
area, a potential war arena should
the United States become embroiled
in the present war disturbance-an
event which would inevitably bring
the threat of war Immediately to
foreign possessions in the Caribbean
and South America.
The fate of the French Navy and
the fact that there are units of
the French feet at Martinique. in
the outer fringe of the West In
dies, with British naval forces
in the general area, has served to
bring the war home definitely to
the peoples around the American
Mediterranean" While no one an
ticipates a naval engagement, the
elements of possible trouble are
becoming more numerous.
Cause for Real Concern.
Although Colombian residents
with whom the writer talked on the
way to the Canal Zone during a
trip around South America via the
new Pan-American Always serv-
ices declared that accounts of fifth
column" activities which have
found their way to the United States
in recent weeks are somewhat ex-
aggerated, they said there is cause
for very real concern in Nazi and
Fascist movements now in prog
ress in northern South America
There is a corresponding increase
in sympathy for United States eff
forts to increase the security of the
Panama Canal and to "inmunize'
the Caribbean area against foreign
aggression.
Arriving in Barranquilla, Colon
bia. on the first flight of the new
Boeing four-engined stratoliner
three Of which now are being put
into operation by Pan-American
Anyways to improve greatly com
munications between the Americas
the writer found not only armed
customs guards but also fully armed
Colombian regular army sentries
under command of a lieutenant, on
duty at the beautifully equipped
Barranquilla Airport.
"A result of the war" an airport
official explained when questioned
about the soldiers. They are on
duty here continuously now"
5000 Germans in Colombia.
One of the foremost aviation Off
Gals in Barranquilla voluntarily
brought up the question of fifth
column activities. ... I'D
There are many exaggerations
and falsehoods going around about
these foreign activities, but just the
same, we do not underestimate the
seriousness of the situation" he said
Il have seen reports in United
States publications that German
Nazis are wearing Nazi uniforms
openly in the streets of Bogota
That is not true. There is not
even any verification of reports that
Nazi uniforms are worn at private
meetings Of Germans
There are about 5000 Germans
in Colombia, chiefly in the area
along the Magdalena River between
Barranquilla and Bogota. These
Germans now are very unpopular
with our people. They do not mix
with the rest of the population
They have their own clubs and live
their own social lives Most of them
have come in since the World War
especially in connection with the
operations of German airlines in
this part of South America.
THE Italians are here in smaller
numbers. They also have become
very unpopular, especially in view
of the manner of the Italian entry
into the war against the Allies"
South America Suspicious.
Asked as to the attitude of the
majority of intelligent Colombians
toward the South American activi-
ties of the totalitarian powers, the
speaker explained: I'VE are not
alarmed, but I will tell you frankly
that we are on the point of becom-
ing so-we are very suspicious and
diStrustful"
He admitted that there is a fear
on the part of many informed South
American leaders that the peoples
of the South American republics
might prove to be susceptible to an
theological offensive by Nazi and
Fascist powers, especially if such an
offensive were maintained through
a vigorous trade policy and pro-
NOTED by the alien minority groups
which have become firmly estab-