Evening star., 1940-06-20
Hands OFF!

I1unuS UT.
Taking realistic cognizance of
what late events in the European
war may mean for this country and
the other Americas, Washington has
moved swiftly, resolutely and con-
cretely to safeguard interests now
palpably imperiled. Following earlier
announcement OF $1,0O0O0O 900
inter-American trading corporation
designed to circumvent Nazi eco
nomic infiltration into Latin Amer
lea, two other related, but vastly
farther reaching, actions ensued
yesterday. The purpose Of all three
steps is to serve unmistakable notice
on the axis powers to keep hands off
the Western Hemisphere in the
course Of their attempts to establish
Hitler and Mussolini as masters of
Europe.
First OF the latest moves to dis
courage any aggressive ambitions
the dictators may cherish on this
side of the Atlantic was formal dip
lomatlc warning to the Berlin and
Rome governments that the Monroe
Doctrine will be enforced against
any effort to transfer New World
possessions from one nom American
power to another. The reference. of
course, is to territory belonging to
Great Britain, Holland and France.
Our admonition is called forth more
Immediately by the danger that
German-Italian terms of surrender
submitted to France may embrace
a demand for her holdings on or
adjacent to the American continent
French Guiana on the South Amer
lean mainland, Martinique and
Guadeloupe in the West Indies and
st. Pierre and Miquelon, off New
foundland.
The State Department has in
structed our embassies in GERMANY
and Italy to notify those govern
ments of the United States opposi-
ton to any interference with the
existing sovereignty over territory
OF other countries in this hemisphere.
Hitler and MusSolini are notified in
effect that Uncle Sam stands pat on
the Monroe Doctrine and is ready
TO 60 to any required limits to pre-
vent its violation. Our Govern
ment's views, as thus affirmed. are
Identical with those expressed in a
joint resolution of Congress. This
declares that the United States
would not "acquiesce" in the transfer
OF territory under such circum-
stances as italian designs
on Frances colonial possessions
hereabouts would provoke. Thus
Congress and the executive branch
are in full agreement on a program
which, 1t goes without saying, has
the unanimous support of the
Nation.
1t Is in entire accord with both
OF the aforementioned moves that
the United States has proposed early
consultation among the foreign min
listers Of the twenty-one American
republics, to discuss all hemisphere
problems growing out OF war develop
ments in Europe. Havana will be the
scene OF the emergency conference.
up to last evening, sixteen of the
sister nations had replied in favor
OF the plan. Acceptances from
the four others are confidently
expected. Canada will not be repre-
sented at the meeting, but her inter-
ests will not escape consideration.
Official disclosure at Montevideo
OF a Nazi conspiracy to seize Uru-
quay by internal military intrigue
and turn the country into a German
agricultural colony" to serve as
the spearhead of a far-fung plot
to establish Hitlerian dominance
throughout Latin America, amply
justif1es the urgency of the Havana
conference. 1t is to be hoped
that from such pooling of Pan
American minds there will emerge a
more definite, cast-iron plan for
hemisphere defense than platonic
pledges of good neighborliness. AS
the country which must bear the
brunt OF such defense, the United
States has the right to expect the
fullest and most binding degree of
armed cooperation within the power
OF each and all CT the states south
OF the Rio Grande. Their respective
ways OF life are no less in jeopardy
than our own.