The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-24

tries there doing in the way Of
preparedness? The following As
ISOLATED Press special Sunday
service story gives many of the
answers.
BUENOS AIRES. - Correspond
ence OF The Associated Press). -
Military analysts familiar with
South Americas defenses are con-
WINGED that if danger threatens the
western hemisphere the United
States must be called upon to guard
South as well as North America.
Even the Argentine, which so far
has outstripped her neighbors in
undermining an army and navy lacks
so many essentials Of armament
that experts believe she would be
hard-pressed to protect her WI 1,500
miles Of coast from foreign assault.
Perhaps, the brightest spot in the
defense picture is the long string
of great, new commercial airdromes
expected to be ready for service
late this Misunderstanding north
through Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, to
link with air fields of the United
States.
Developed for use by Pan-Ameri-
can a%irline's Buenos Aires to United
States service, the fields were built
to handle huge four-motor trans
ports. That means they could be
used by the heaviest United States
bombers as flight bases in any South
American emergency.
The new airdromes at Buenos
Aires, Rio De Janeiro, Paramarimbo
in Netherlands Guina, Port of Spain
on the British islands of Trinidad,
and San Juan, Puerto Rico, would
be convenient stepping stones for
the United States bombing planes to
danger spots on the eastern coast of
South America.
What extent, if any, United States
officials have arranged with South
American nations for wartime use of
the fields has been kept secret.
Particularly in the cas- of Brazil,
largest country in South America,
and Venezuela, have details of de-
tense plans been shielded behind
strict censorship.
Informed ource at Buenos Aires
said that so far there had been little
or no exchange Of defense ideas be-
tween the United States and Argen.
tina. Presence of a German mill
tary mission at Buenos Aires since
1914 was seen as n barrier for
exchange of any such confidential
plans.
Both Brazil and Argentina have
heavy German and Italian popula-
ton. One fourth of Argentina's 49,
900, 900 population is Italian.
Il Both countries have declared
strongly, with the smaller nations
of South America, for a common
stand to safeguard the western hemi-
sphere.
Argentine spokesman asked for a
stand of non-belligerency instead of
mere neutrality, with the comment
1--WE cannot be Indifferent" to the
events in Europe.
President Getulio Vargas, ruler of
Brazil, urged a common interest of
defense" of the Americas.
Especially since the outbreak OF
war in Europe, South America has
speeded it's armament.
Argentina's well-drilled conscript
army has an ample supply of rifles
and approximately 1000 pieces of ar
tillery including a~nti-aircraft, noun
tain guns and field pieces ranging
up to- six inch guns. However, is
40, 900 soldiers and 300,0 900 r%eservists
are without effective motorized equip.
ment. The army's only tanks are
10 old-time, five-ton British tanks
which experts have said are of value
only for parades.
The Argentine war ministry is
preparing a bill asking $50, 900, 900
pesos (about $780, 900, 000 to buy air
planes, more anti-aircraft guns,
bombs and other equipment.
Meanwhile, not one peso has been
authorized for the purchase of new
equipment since 1888. Since that
time, however, there have been de-
liveries of material ordered pre-
voiusly, including 100 French anti
aircraft guns. Orders for other Eu-
Isl T~Ypewriiers