Evening star., 1940-10-06
u. ). Defense Proqram
Seen Aiding Security
Of Latin America
Conscription Is Held
Adding to Confidence
Of keiehbors
By henry LEE SWEINHART.

BY HENRY LEE SWEINHART.
AS a result Of both the foreign
and domestic defense policies and
program Of the United States, the
other American republics, particu-
larly those in South America, are
beginning to feel more and more
secure against the possibility Of fu-
ture aggression from abroad, in the
opinion of well-advised diplomatic
quarters here.
This increased confidence has led
to a strengthening Of Pan-Ameri-
canism, they point out, and to a
strong and continuing movement
for greater cooperation among the
American republics in their future
defense planning and in the field
of economic and commercial rela-
tions.
In this connection the visit to the
United States of the group of Latin
American military chieftains. now
on an airplane tour of this country
to make study Of its defenses, is
a striking indication, it was pointed
out by diplomats, of the interest
the neighboring nations to the south
are taking in the preparations the
United States Is making to secure
itself against attack by any foreign
foe. Furthermore, it was added,
this visit will be of great value to
the prominent military officials of
Latin America in the preparations
which their own governments are
making. and in which they will bet
ter be able to make useful recon-
mendations and suggestions as a
result of the observations which
they are making on their present
trip.
Personal Contact Important.
The importance of this visit was
emphasized. also. from the stand
point Of the personal contacts which
will be established between the
members of the Latin American
military services and that of the
United States. 1t is believed that
more friendly feeling among the
American nations will be engen-
dered and existing friendships
strengthened as a direct result of
this trip. The distinguished ranks
of the visiting military chieftains,
it was added, will make them well
come guests wherever they go, and
honors will be paid to them at every
place on their route, not only by the
American military officials stationed
at those places but also by promi-
nent civic authorities and citizens
of the various cities and commu-
mites.
Reports reaching here from the
various Latin American countries,
1t can be stated authoritatively, re-
veal that those nations are coming
more and more to feel that the wide
spread national defense program In
which the United States is now en-
gagged, means eventually greater Sc
curity for them against attack from
any outside foe. In this program
of national preparedness the re-
Gently enacted conscription act plays
most important part in the view
Of the Latin American governments
and their peoples. They feel. the
reports show. that while this pro-
gram is aimed primarily at defense
Of the United States itself against
aggression from any enemy who
might have future designs on this
country. 1t has an added significance
and means that the United States
would be likely to come to the mill
tary assistance Of any Latin Ameri-
can country which was threatened
with foreign invasion.
Appreciate Air Expansion.
The rapid expansion and strength
ening of the air force of the United
States, in particular, is appreciated
in the other American republics as
factor looking to the greater future
of their far-flung borders. This
opinion is strengthened by the fact
that aviation missions from the
United States have been in several
Of the Latin American countries for
some time past, assisting them in
their aviation programs and in in
Struction work, helping to train their
officers and flyers for their duties.
With the close tie-up which many
of the South American countries
have had for many years past with
Great Britain, France and several Of
the other European nations, eco
nomically and otherwise, one Of the
most important elements in the
present policies of this Government
is the close cooperation in defense
programs between the United States
and Great Britain, in the view of the
Latin American officials. With
Great Britain continuing the strug-
gle against the axis powers and with
the United States morally support
ing this fight to save democracy, the
Latin American nations are re-
ported to feel at present that no
attack could be made against them
which would not also be considered
an attack against Great Britain and
the United States and treated ac-
cordingly.
This feeling among the peoples OF
South and Central America, Mexico
and the Caribbean area has had a
growing tendency, it is asserted by
diplomats familiar with the atti-
tudes of those countries, to increase
the growing solidarity in many direc-
tions among the American nations
as a whole and in the spirit of Pan
Americanism. They believe that
this solidarity will continue to grow
and manifest itself more and more
in a practical, helpful way to the
entire Western Hemisphere.