Evening star., 1941-12-16

quickly or as '''
forthrightly as David Lawrence.
they are today.
During the first World War the
military and naval Importance of
the Pan-American republics was not
the same as it is today. The fact
that Japan was an ally of the
United States in 1917 and that the
air bomber was not developed for
long-range cruising from aircraft
carriers made the two oceans along
side of Central and South America
relatively quiet.
Today bases for submarine activity
and for the refueling of aircraft
carriers could easily be established
on the long and rugged shore lines
of some of the Central and South
American countries. but the almost
unanimous feeling Of sympathy for
the cause Of the United States and
Britain has given foes of the Axis
splendid support. Whether all the
nations have declared war on Ger
many, Italy and Japan is secondary
to the fact that the countries have
agreed to treat the United States as
a n-belligerent, that is, to allow
naval vessels and airplanes to enter
and leave at will and to obtain sup
plies and repairs.
The friendliness Of the 20 repub-
lies is the direct consequence of two
things: First, the reaction to the
terrifying tactics of the totalitarian
states, and second, the desire to help
Britain and America win.
Friendly Policy Developed.
But due to various causes, espe-
cially the efforts of the Nazis to
depreciate American efforts in the
war and to attribute wrongful
purposes to us, the Latin American
countries have at times in the last
few months been lukewarm toward
the United States. President Roose-
welt and Secretary Hull with COM
mendable foresight sought to de-
velop . good neighbor" policy which
would cement relations between all
the Pan-American countries.
Indefatigable efforts have been
made by Undersecretary Welles and
Secretary Berle to keep
the light OF our sincerity and good
faith burning brightly in Latin
America. The President supple
mented the work of the State De-
partment by creating a special Com
mittee on Inter American Affairs,
both as to its cultural and CONNER
cial aspects, and put in charge OF 1t
Nelson Rockefeller, who has done
one of the outstanding jobs here in
getting this all-important work
under way.
Vice President Wallace, Secretary
OF Commerce Jesse Jones, Warren
Lee Pierson Of the Export-Import
Bank and the governmental agencies
generally have given a green light
to requests for cooperation that
have come from the South and Gen.
trail American republics and their
diplomatic representatives here. 1t
has been a colossal work OF sensible
planning and careful execution.
Combat Axis Supporters.
When it is considered that hun
dreds of thousands Of Germans,
italians and Japanese are active IN
business and are influential other
wise in some of the larger countries
in South America, the Importance
of the work of the Inter-American
agencies here can be best under
stood. These sympathizers with the
Nazi cause quite naturally played
upon the suspicious; of Latin Ameri-
cans with respect to the purposes OF
the United States, dwelling particu-
larly on mistakes in the policy OF
the Washington Government under
preceding administrations.
Now that the United States Is at
war and the active and alert help OF
every nation in this hemisphere is
a prerequisite to victory, there are
many problems affecting the coun-
tries south of the Rio Grande which
must be met. There is, for instance,
the question of priorities on needed
materials. 1t will take, relatively
speaking, very little of the major
commodities to keep the economic
equilibrium of Latin America un-
impaired. This is something which
In the congestion Of war regulations
can easily be lost sight Of but that's
one reason why the ONCE Of Inter
American Affairs, under Mr.. Rocke-.
feller, exists-to watch out for the
many things that can disturb
friendly relations on the commercial
side.
Financial Support Needed.
Economic and financial disturb
ance, with unemployment as con-
sequence, cannot but lead to social
upheavals in South American coun-
tries and this is something which
the Nazi agents will use to their
advantage.
To keep the Latin American front
from becoming a base for Naz and
japanese operations will require
unceasing vigil in Washington. The
Latin American people are all
friendly. Here and there, however,
subtle influences Of Nazi origin
manage to tangle up the govern
mental operations in the south, but
this is gradually being reduced to
a minimum by the force of public
opinion. For it is being realized
that the United States must win
or Latin America, with its riches.
becomes the spoils Of war for Hitler
and his allies.
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