Evening star., 1941-07-04
Cullinq Pun-Americu

| Calling Pon-Americo
Indirectly, yet Enthusiastically, our
Government has called upon the
twenty sister republics of the Amer
icas for united action, with special
reference to the use of their air and
naval bases, in case the United States
is involved in war with the Axis
powers.
This important step took the form
of an Endorsement by the State De-
partment of suggestion by the
government of Uruguay urging upon
| its Latin American neighbors posi-
tive implementation of the policy of
hemisphere solidarity" The Uru-
guayan circular note, issued a fort
night ago, suggested a formula under
which any Western Hemisphere
nation warning with a country out
side the hemisphere lin defense Of
the interests of democracy" would
not be considered a belligerent. This
formula would Supersede the ordi-
nary rules of neutrality, under
which those Latin American nations
which did not themselves follow us
in declaring war against the Axis
would be obliged to debar our war
ships and planes from the use of
their ports and air bases. That
would place us at a distinct dis
advantage in protecting the Western
Hemisphere below the Panama Canal.
1t is interesting to note that
Uruguay made a similar suggestion
in the first World War, though it was
not then generally adopted. Uruguay,
however, placed its port facilities at
our disposal. Uruguay thus has a
consistent record of friendliness to
the United States and appreciation
of hemisphere solidarity.
The warmest Endorsement of Uru-
guay's proposal in Latin America to
date has come from Brazil, another
of our traditional friends. In an
official statement, DR.. OSwaldo
Aranha, Brazilian Minister of For
eign Affairs, said: I'VE must help
each other when trouble comes, or
the work of years to accomplish the
Americas unity will be wasted. "
The nations of the continent find
concerted action imperative to safe
guard their freedom and insure the
peace they preach"
The most reserved answer received
to Uruguay'S circular note was that of
Argentina. The reply indicated that
Argentina did not fully accept the
proposed formula and would con-
tinue to adhere to policy of strict
neutrality. This is in line with
Argentina's attitude, which has
tended to be strongly nationalist and
''isolationist" where effective Pam
American action is concerned. The
acting President, DR.. Ramon Castillo,
is known to be of this mind.
However, there is a strong body of
Argentine public opinion which
favors Pan-American solidarity and
is strongly anti-Axis. Former Presi-
dent Justo, one of the country's most
aStute and influential political fig
ureS, is repeatedly urging the adop-
ton of such a policy. The general
trend in Latin America seems clearly
in that direction.
Our Government is leaving no
stone unturned to promote Pam
American cooperation. In his note
to Uruguay, Acting Secretary of
State Sumner Welles stressed the
practical assistance furnished Latin
American nations under our lease
lend law on "Stupendous SCALE" in
Guiding not only economic and finan-
cial aid but also the use of naval and
air bases acquired by our Govern
ment from Great Britain and Den
mark. He likewise called attention
to the fact that a clause in our Neu-
trality Act eXempts American repub-
lies from the laws restrictions when
they are engaged in war against
non-American nation.
The United States Government is
thus already fulfilling both the letter
and the spirit of the policy which it
is asking our sister republics to
adopt.