Evening star., 1940-05-19

against any lore or possible COmDl-
nation of foes without relying on the
assistance of any other power.
For, if France and England are
defeated, the people of the United
States may awaken, and soon, to
day when all of the world out
side the Western Hemisphere may
be in the hands of the totalitarian
poWers-Germany, Italy and Japan
and the United States will face on
every side victorious nations which
have gained victory through lawlesS
aggression and callous trampling
on the rights of others. What is
more, these nations already have
cast covetous eyes on the Americas
and all three of them have gained
some footholds in this hemisphere.
Germany and Italy, in particular,
have established what amount to
actual colonies in South America.
Germany Is alarmingly strong in
parts of Brazil and, in these days
of fifth columns" such strength
is now viewed with the gravest
suspicion. This is especially true
in the case of Brazil, since the
ATLANTIC Ocean between the Bra
-silian Coast and thu. western hump
Of Africa is orily 1,7Oo miles in
breadth and, as President Roose-
velt has intimated, Germany has
thousands of bombardment air-
planes which could make the flight
with ease and, with the aid of Nazi
sympathizers on the ground, estab-
1ish hold from which it would be
difficult and costly to tear them
within range of vital American
centers.
South American Base Needed.
Under the $500, 900 900 air defense
plan OF last year the Army Air
Corps now is establishing a power
full air base in Puerto Rico, q nat
ural defense keystone in the West
Indies. 1t commands many of the
sea approaches to the Caribbean
and the Panama Canal. For abso-
Lutte security, however. it is agreed
by military people that a strong
base should be occupied on the
coast of South America to guard
the important southern seaways to
the Caribbean, which are too far
from the Puerto Rican base for
really effective air action.
The South American republics,
however, have not yet granted per-
mission for such q move and, under
an agreement between the United
States and its q sister nations,
such a base may not be established
unless and until it becomes certain
there is actual danger of enemy
aggression against the Americas.
Our national defense plans, there
fore, should embrace the immediate
setting up of the proposed South
American base on short notice, it is
argued. All essential equipment
aircraft, munitions, guns, fuel and
the many other items which 60 into
such base-must be in readiness,
together with the necessary trained
ground and air troops.
There can be little doubt that the
nations Of Central and South
America will join forces with the
United States promptly in case of
threats against the safety of this
hemisphere. The 81 American ma
tions during the past week Joined
IN an official condemnation of the
invasion Of the Netherlands by the
Nazi war machine.
Pan-American Solidarity Seen.
It is believed by diplomatic and
military officials that solidarity of
the Americas against European or
Asian aggression-or both-might
be improved by passage of legisla-
ton, which has been on the Senate
calendar since last July, permitting
the sale of United States warships
and other military equipment to
South American neighboring re-
publics. The House approved such
legislation by a large majority two
years ago, after Brazil had asked
for some Of the idle World War
destroyers now laid up at Mare
Island, Calf, and Philadelphia. De-
spite their age, these destroyers are