Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-26
Latin American Intentions
Detroit knows that.

THE conference of American foreign ministers IN no
de Janeiro representing twenty-one American repub-
lies has agreed a declaration of INTENTION to sever
dplomatc relations with Germany Italy and Japan.
This declaration will have force lack force, accord
ing to subsequent decisions by the constitutional lnstltu
tons of the governments concerned.
Perhaps nineteen of the republics will give the decla
ration immediate force.
Nine including the United States have already de-
- cared war against Germany, Italy and Japan.
Three others have already severed diplomatic rela
tons
THUS only remain at all in doubt and OF these nine
i only two in any real doubt.
Argentina and Chile the two reluctant neighbors
Both have consented to the declaration of intention
Whether either both will EVER carry out the
declared intention depends entirely on their own decisions
which they are completely free to make.
Frankly the United States expected or at least
HOPED for something more substantial from the Rio
conference.
The United States is at war, and wants and needs
all the active allies it get
The United States particularly wants and needs the
active support of its American ncghbors and quite can
didy that was why the conference was called.
DI-T the conference is not to be considered failure
= because ii did not meet our maximum desires.
1t was in conspicuous success for several very
important reasons
It was successful first Of all because while did not
accomplish everything desired it accomplished great
deal of vital Importance to
We need only consult the map establish this fact
Our lifeline in the Western Hemisphere is the Pan
anna Canal
With no exceptions, all Of the nations north of the
canal have either entered the war outright and
side or broken off relations with our enemies.
c0UTH Of the canal of course the continent of South
- America.
This great continent roughly resembles huge ice
cream
The great bulk Of the is made up Of nations
which are our committed friends comprising the remain
ing nineteen which give us doubts
Argentina and Chile the two southcrnmost nations
Of the continent the handle of the and thus the
most remote from the vital canal
So we have accomplished a great deal, obviously. in
extending Of friendship and safety beyond the
great b.lgc of South America.
But the conference successful IN another very
iIai .rtast way
.,a.I not disclose Argentina and Chile to be at odds
with auF WY and more important still did not
ts'l#.-o then. n any WAY.
uw-.y recognized Argentina and Chile sovereign
nations perfect right TO decide their international
policies fer Themselves their selflnterests they
,hs-ard moreover honestly respected and honorec
that night
TIL tae Io conference had remote resemblance to
l what rgHt have occurred IN similar circumstances in
Eur9rean On Asia,e zone Of influence
These were not ueppct states 30 be inundated or
states, and considered and dealt with by their
ueIghbors.
That is the only wax the American republics should
ever deal with each other II Is the only way genuine
solidarity Of enterprise well mutuality Of interest
WI p,.. la achieved n the Western Hemisphere
Ttts H was not OF IN "a successful conference but
s8luI and honest and intelligent conference which
greatly increased the safety OF the hemisphere and even
~. establish and PROSPERITY.