The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-11-04
GAINS MADE IN
 DEFENSE SETUP
 OF HEMISPHERE
By LAWRENCE s. HAAS United Press Latin American EditOr

NeW 1OEhb 1NONs S, NOE p-ho hohS- cess of Western Hemisphere de- fense moves, designed to protect the territory of the American re- republics from any threat of Axis attack from overseas, and to pre- serve the safety of the sealanes over which vital strategic cargoes of defense materials, footstuffs and other supplies are carried, appears to be nearing assurance.
 Most of the burden of continental defense, on land, in the air and on the seas, logically falls upon the United States as the American na- tion with the most powerful indus trial and economic resources, and as the greatest sourice of military manpower.
 Nevertheless, the other American countries that have entered the war against the Axis as allies of the United Nations are operting in the defense scheme in close harmony with the United States.
 As the first anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor approaches, a recapitultion of continent defense progress reveals:
 Bases Near Finished
 1. Construction of the Caribbean bases, sites for which were acquired from Great Britain in exchange for 50 over-age United States destroy CTS in 1940, is being rushed to com- pletion, and some of the military, naval and air installations are al- most finished. The bseS are manned by well-trined fighting personnel who not only have become inured to local climatic conditions, but have established friendly and cooperative relationships with the native popu- sltions.
 2. The defense of the Panama Canal Zone has been organized on such an efficient basis that Secre- tary of Navy Frank Knox, who made an inspection trip there re- gently, said: T think the Canal has as perfect form of defense as any place III the world feel a sense comfort in the knowledge that the defenses are so well managed and effectively handled"
 3. Vice Admiral John H. Hoover, commanding the Caribbean sea frontier, said recently that the peak Axis submarine activity in the Caribbean sea frontier, said re- gently that the peak Axis submarine activity in the Caribbean already has passed and has fallen off, due to an efficient air and Surface-craft patrol
 4. An effective convoy system for shipping between the United States and the Canal Zone has been set up. Destaoyers and fast PC boats protect the merchant vessels, and it is reported that all ships including tankers traverse the Caribbean safely today.
 Knox Praises Brazil
 5. Brazil, an important link in the Hemisphere defense system, is furnishing increasingly able collab- orationfi, and Secretary Knox re- gently praised the spirit of cooper ation between Brazilian and United States forces guarding the long and {. vulnerable coaStline and the off, shore seaways of the great South American republic.
 On the political front, the Latin American governments continue their cooperation to stamp out Axis espionage and propaganda activities.
 There are continued reports of arrests of spy suspects in Mexico. Cuban authorities, with the aid of United States operatives, barred the workings of Spy-ring, and Ha- vana Urgency Court imposed the death penalty on it's Nazi leader, Heiz August Luning.
 Brazilian military courts have placed several persons, accused oi espionage and fifth column activ- tiles, on trial, although the results of the proceedings of the military courts have not been revealed.
 The Venezuelan government has cleared the coastal areas of AXIS antions and has deported number of Axis citizens to the United tSates for interment. The Colombian government has dismissed all Ger man and italian employees engaged in technical work ill the santa Martan Atlntic cost req.
 Chile Chnges Cabinets
 Tn Chile. where the cabinet fell last week largely due to opposition to Foreign Minister Ernesto Barros Jsrpa's foreign policy in maintain ing diplomatic relations with the Axis, three alleged German spies, linked with the Luning ring i'll Cuba, were interned on an island, after the three had been freed by a Santiago criminal court.
 tent policy of prudent neutrality of President Ramon s. Castillo in refraining from a break with the Axis, the congressional committee investigation anti-Argentine activ- ties, headed by Deputy Juan Solari, continued to bar the machinatons of Maxi propagandsts.
 4 recent report Of the commit Lee revealed propaganda in the religious field, and charged Ger man priests and Protestant clergy men with carrying on the work of Hitler in the northern border ter .itory of Missiones.
 Foreign Minister Alberto Guani of Uruguay. a staunch defender of democracy and Pan-American unity for many years, adyocted strict measures to establish vigilance over potential "Quislings and other trail .ors" among naturalized citizen of Axis birth in the American repub- ics.