Evening star., 1940-07-22
Roosevelt Requests
Half Billion More for
Latin Economic Aid
Defense and Economy
Commissions Set Up
BY Havana PorIey
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
HAVANA, July 22.-The emer-
gency conference of the 81 Ameri-
can republics set up commissions at
a closed meeting today to deal with
vital problems of hemisphere de-
fense and economy.
This pre-conference work set In
motion, the delegates adjourned to
wait for the various governments
to define their positions in formal
declarations at the opening session
later in the day.
The United States took q place
only on the important Peace Com
mission, which is to consider the
whole question Of continental de-
fense, including the future status
OF European possessions in the
Western Hemisphere.
The conference rules, however,
provide that any country submit
ting a proposal to a commission au-
tomatically becomes a member OF
that commission.
Dozen Other Speeches Scheduled.
The address of Secretary of State
Huh in the late afternoon was ex-
pected to assume the status of a
policy guiding declaration on all
important phases Some dozen
other speeches were on the program
for the formal opening.
AS the business of formally Or
ganizing the conference began,
delegates of the Latin American
countries. whose economies already
have been disturbed by the loss Of
European markets. anxiously waited
for Secretary Hull to indicate
how far the United States is
ready to go in helping to solve their
problems.
Mr.. Hull planned to address the
conference at 4 pm. after the first
private plenary session devoted to
designation of committees.
(Secretary Hull will be heard
in Washington over Stations
WJSV and WMAL from 4 to 5
pm. today)
Concrete Measures Urged.
The stage for his address was set
yesterday by President Federico La
redo Bru of Cuba, who. in q speech
Of welcome, called on the American
nations to take concrete measures
to defend their common rights"
against dangers which increase day
by day."
He warned the delegates they
must approach the difficult" prob
lens before them in the full knowl-
edge that the Western Hemisphere
has become "the trustee for the re-
mainder of betrayed Civilizations
civilization pushed to the edge Of
precipice."
In dealing with events In Europe
the President mentioned no nations
by name, but he delivered barbed
thrusts against "conquests Of force
and violence"
Although boxes had been set aside
for German, Italian, Japanese and
Spanish diplomats at the inaugural
session, they remained empty.
Some quarters interpreted this as
evidence the four nations were act
ing in accord on all matters Affect
ing their relations with the Amer
icaS.
The agenda facing the delegates
was described as one of the broadest
ever tackled by a Pan-American
conference and many of those pres
ent considered that its very broad
ness made it susceptible to pitfalls.
Range of Problems.
The problems to be discussed
ranged over this field:
l. Examination of Western Hemi-
sphere neutrality in the light Of
such unprotected recent develop
ments as the capitulation Of Hol-
land, Belgium and France to Ger.
man armed forces.
2. The attitude of the Americas
toward Western Hemisphere possess
sions of conquered European ma
tions.
3. Fifth column" activities in the
Americas-their extent and possible
precautionary measures to be taken.
4. Resettlement of refugees. pris-
oners and other victims of war.
S. Economic co-operation-or what
possibilities exist for employing
United States capital to mutual ad-
vantage In helping Latin American
states from being drawn into the
barter system of totalitarian powers.
Secretary Hull conferred in
dividually with the heads of various
delegations Immediately after his
arrival yesterday. and it was report
ed these talks had disclosed strong
desire for concrete action to combat
any possible menace to continental
security and internal regimes in the
Americas.
Fear Argentina an Obstacle.
Fear was expressed by some, how
ever, that Argentina might prove q
stumbling block to the adoption Of
a solid front on both defense and
economic questions. Argentine dele
gates failed to appear for pre-con.
vention discussions.
The Argentine delegates, Leopoldo
and Luis Podesta Costa, finally put
in their appearance today. They
arrived from Santiago along with
Pedro Manini Rios, Uruguay's rep
resentative.
The concern over Ar9entina's at
titude has been brought to the fore
by declarations from Buenos Aires
that she would refrain from any
action which would jeopardize her
(See HAVANA, Page A-5.)