Evening star., 1940-07-27
Direct Military Aid
Pacts Sidetracked
In Havana Talks
Way Cleared for Individual
Negotiations Between
US. and Other Republics
BY GARNETT ID. HORNER,
Star Staff Correspondent.

BY GARNETT ID. HORNER,
Star Staff Correspondent.
HAVANA, July 27.-Discussion Of
direct military assistance pacts has
been sidetracked at the current
meeting of American Foreign Min
listers only to leave the way clear for
more effective dealings between the
United States and other American
republics Individually, it was learned
today.
Uruguay and other countries that
entered the conference eager for
definite military commitments were
reported satisfied with assurances in
informal conversations that the
United States would cooperate in
meeting their objectives through
separate negotiations.
The most pressing problems of a
military nature involve need by
many of the Latin American nations
for aid in building up their arma-
ments for adequate defense. in addi-
ton to the strategic necessity of ar
rangements for bases from which
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could operate if necessary to take
part in any positive joint defense
action.
No Military Plans Offered.
Uruguay was prepared to discuss
these problems at the conference
under way here, her delegation in
Guiding two military experts. Cuba's
secretary of defense has named an
adviser to her delegation. Secretary
of State Hull's influence was under
stood to have been against any di-
rect military proposals coming be-
the ground they could not be given
proper consideration at such gen.
eral conference as this. No military
proposals were submitted.
Instead. the United States advo-
Gated conference adoption of reso-
luton calling for united front
against subversive activities which
would lay the basis for whatever
military cooperation that might be
worked out by the American nations
individually.
This resolution would establish
equal concern and responsibility
among all the American republics
Tor suppressing alien directed at
tempts in any of them to subvert
domestic institutions, foment dis
erder or set up a non American sys-
tenn Of government, leaving the re-
publics free to act in their own in
dividual capacities in any steps
taken.
Direct ParleyS May Follow.
It's adoption would sanction the
fullest United States aid to any
Latin American country that might
call on its big neighbor to the north
for help in combating invasion or
fifth column" activities. leaving no
ground for "imperialism" charges if
necessary action should involve
landing OF United States troops at
invitation of the government con-
cerned to put down internal dis
order.
The conference here is expected to
be followed by immediate negotia-
tions between the United States and
seme of the other American ma
tions. with particular attention be-
ing given to helping the weaker
countries build up their own defense
systems.
The Export Import Bank, it was
understood, may use part of its
$500 900 900 increased lending power
asked by President Roosevelt to
finance the purchase of arms in the
United States by its neighbor re-
publics Previous policy of the bank
has been against any armament
loans.
Need for United Defense.
Some provision for such assist
ance to Latin America was held
necessary now, however in view of
the desperate need for a united de-
Tense program against threats to
security of the entire hemisphere
1t was pointed out that Germany
had made generous offers to barter
modern weapons for South Amer
lean surplus commodities, which
could only be counteracted by liberal
United States cooperation. German
arms might turn out to be more of
a liability than an asset for any
American nation in common de-
fense program because of different
gun calibers and other variations
making coordination with the
United States weapons impossible.
Brazil. largest of the South Amer
lean countries, is one of those urg-
ing United States collaboration in
meeting defense needs. Gen. Pedro
Goes Menteiro, Brazilian chief of
staff, recently told the departing
chief of the United States military
mission in Rio de Janeiro that "in
view of the material and technical
superiority of your country, it is
urgent that you help Latin Ameri-
can countries carry on Immediately
common defense program, all
united with the objective of pre-
serving the continent against preda-
tory instincts"
That such collaboration would be
forthcoming was indicated by Sec
retary Hull In his address to the
conference here last Monday. when
he declared that wisdom and pru-
dence require that we have in our
hands adequate means of Defense"
and spoke Of dangers against
which we are taking and intend to
take fully adequate measures of
AnfNpsoD