The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-10-18
MEMBER OF
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEMBER MICHIGAN
QUE DEFENSE ALLIANCE

OOh OEF NOE NLIlNNNE
The United States, starting
negotiations with key South Am
erican countries for a diplomatic
and military agreement, almost
approximating an alliance. is aim
ing at total defense OF the vest
ern hemisphere against agrees
sion. One hope Is 10 make air
plane and army bases available
for mutual defense among the re
publics OF the western hemis-
phere One problem is the cost
Of these new bases, which will
require American financial as
sistance.
The negotiations enyisaging
more than mere leasing by the
United States OF bases in var
ious Latin American countries,
will anticipate grand-scale
understanding as the result of
which the Americans can seek
aid of one another or extend aid
10 each other for united action
20 keep this. hemisphere inyiolate.
Negotiations for total hemis-
pheric defense. now in their pre-
llmlnary phase, have led 70 re-
ports that the United States has
Leased or is about 70 lease naval
bases in Brazil and Chile and
perhaps other countries. These
reports are said 10 be premature
and az the same time TO tell only
part Of a big story-the attempt
70 effect an agreement which
would mean. without infringing
on the sovereignty OF any coun-
Try, the presentation OF united
front to any foreign aggressor.
4 dependable diplomatic and
military agreement with the ma
jority OF South American coun-
tries would help to improve de-
fensive facilities Of the countries
concerned, and would place these
facilities at the disposal OF not
only the United States but all
the American republics for any
common l5rense- action which
might become necessary.
The United States would do
well TO have an understanding as
20 exactly what facilities would
be needed for navy and military
defense in the event that South
Americans find II necessary 10
ask for aid against a possible
outside ageressor.
IL is understood now that
these facilities would be made
available 20 an American nations.
II vas never intended TO make
them available only for the Unit
cd states If for no other reason
than that such an agreement
NJ ght have been regarded as an
infringement OF sovereignty by
NATIONS wr,i---ili ---,~e-fe- asked "a
provide the bases
Various visits Of military repre-
sentaIges of the United States
10 South American countries have
been made 70 secure our United
States defense authorities the
needed reports Of existing de-
Tense facilities.
Negotiations have been largely
preliminary. and at the same time
Of technical character. and they
have naturally been conducted
an The greatest secrecy The Sc
coni phase Of negotiations In
v0lvng more definite conversa-
tions lie beginning 10 get under
way
Criticism by some elements IN
South America was anticipated
II Was foreseen that the SOW
srptFUry question might be-raise4
and t was asserted that this
would be met by reference to the
Psn-American Havana Declare
tion that the States, among all Of
them or between two OF more Of
them. might proceed 10 nAgoti-
ate any accord necessary 10 or
ganize defense cooperation and
assistance
In general he South American
attitude has been favorable for
mutual defense. Uruguay for ex-
ample Is considering construction
OF naval bases at two important
positions on the Plate River. and
a recent military budget provides
for new air fields and strength
ened coastal defense. We must
remember. however. that South
Americans do not entertain any
deep love for the United States
Effective foreign propaganda has
been spread there as here and
some OF our own dealings have
not been too favorcble for the
friendship we would Ike now 20
see. The language is different
There are natural European ties
Of family and tradition There
IS good market for South
American produce I'm Europe
Our market is largely artificial
and so does not provide a feeline
Of security among the people
who are interested IN fore. IN
trade
There are a good many oondi-
lions %. this kind to be overcome
IN the plan for a solid American
front. II will require constant
diplomatic maneuvering and n
lot Of money! lot OF United
States money.
-o--