The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-09-24

some unexpected development com parable to the fall of France oc- CUTS, fourth consultation meet ing undoubtedly will be convoked- probably in some North American capital, such as Washington or Mexico City.
 Advantages of this system are many, including:
 1. Relative informality.
 2. Rapidity of assembling.
 3. Flexibility of cony ocation, which is not dependent upon a given. period of time but upon the importance of emergency matters to be discussed.
 4. Tie fact that future sites will be selected only on the convocation of the meeting. thus permitting the most logical and easily accessible place to be selected.
 5. Agenda limited to urgent mat ters requiring immediate attention.
 Set Up Security Zone"
 Although much that was done at Panama has ceased to be of im- portance because of later war de- velopments, many perm nent achievements were made. Further more, valuable experience was ac- qufred in learning just how to con duct these meetings, which up, to then had no precedeIlts.
 Emphasis at Panama was placed on the question of neutrality; The war in Europe then seemed to be far away, with the British navy and the Maginot Line still intact, although the Nazis were making rapid progress in Poland The most publicized resolution of the first meeting was the Declaration of Panama" setting up a security zone" in the waters around the Americas, of a width varying from 250 to 1,250 milas. It declared that the American Republicas, as long as they were neutral, lis a measure of continental self protection are as of inherent right entitled to have those waters adjacent to the Arcer- ican continent, which they regard as of primary concern and direct utility in their relations, free from the commission of any hostile act by any non-belligerent nation, whether such hostile act be at tempted or made from land, sea, or aif..nn @
 The belHgerents never accepted the zone, even when the American Republics were neutral. Now, with Brazil, Panama, Central America, the, Caribbean Republics, Mexico and the, United States all at war, 1t is a battle-ground of sea, undesea and air warfare.
 Another Panama resolution es- tablished the "Inte r-Am c r can Neutrality Committee" with seat at Rio de Janeiro. Originally created to study and to formulate recommendations with respect to the problem of neutrality, it is credited with brilliant work under the chairmanship of the noted Brazilian jurist, Afranio de Mello Franco. When the war came to the Americas, 1t ceased to have any purpose.
 The Rio de Janeiro consultative meeting in 1922 therefore adopted 8 resolution changing its designa- tion to Inter American Juridical Committee" and charged it with the study of the juridical problems created for the American Republics by the world war, coordination of the codiflcation of international law. and like matters.
 Much that was done at Panama, however, has been more more per- manent. The third resolution pro- vided for the establishment of an "Inter-American ancial and Economic Advisory Committee" with headquarters at Washington. It con- vened Nov. IS, 1889. and elected Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles chairman, position he still holds. The committee has perform ed many important tasks. including the formulation of the Inter-Afn- erican coffee agreement and the adoption of program for the utilization of refugee shipping" nj various ports of the Americas.
 Acted Against Espionage
 A Joint Resolution of Continent al Solidarity. unanimously adopted at Panama on the basis of projects presented by Colombia, Mexico and Cuba. has served to re-affirm the Declaration of Lima, and to put the nations of the Americas on record as favorlng eventual establishment of "a peace, not based on violence, but on justice and law"
 The Panama conference also paved the way-en motion Of Ar gentinA-for greater coordination Of police and judicial measures in combatting work of "slfth column- lsls" and other foreign agents. Further ateps were taken at Ha- vana and Rio do Joneiro which cul- gtltnaAmM fn tfaA e4Nma Sa fqa elan fse an