Evening star., 1942-01-19

Mexico Proposes Latin
Nations Adopt Status
Of Non n.Be||igerents
Pressure Is Exerted on
Argentine ond Chile to
Take Anti.Axis Stond
~ the Associated Prsss.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. ls.-
Mexico. presented . proposal to the
Pan-American Conference today to
extend to all the United Nations the
status Of acknowledgements In their
fight against the Axis powers.
Led by Argentina, most Of the
Latin American countries already
have declared the United States .
acknowledgement. Among other things.
this means that United States war
ships can enter and leave their ports
at will. free of the regulation fore
ing ships to limit their stays to "A
hours.
The proposal came As the Foreign
Ministers Of 10 American republics
exerted pressure on Argentina and
Chile to line up In q solid Western
Hemisphere severance Of relations
with the totalitarian nations.
Argentine sources said their delesa-
ton wished to present q compromise
proposal. but was careful to ascer-
tain whether any stand they sug-
gested had 4 chance Of success.
Six Proposals. Offered.
The United States presented six
proposals dealing with subversive
activities, the Red Cross, improve
ment Of health and sanitation, es-
tablishment of = committee to deal
with juridical and postwar prob
lens, aviation and communications.
The first outlined numerous meas
ures to be taken against potential
NTH columnists and the control Of
all foreigners. 1t recommended the
creation of 4 consultative emer-
gency committee for political de-
tense" to coordinate these meas
ures.
The Chilean delegation asked for
bilateral or multilateral accords un-
der which the gold reserves Of one
nation might be made available to
others.
Defense and economic committees
met during the morning, but did not
announce Thea topics.
Boundary Rev Seen Near End.
The century old boundary dispute
between Peru and Ecuador, which
frequently has hared into armed
conflict, was discussed for half an
hour by DR.. Enrique Ruiz Guinazu.
Oswaldo Aranha and Julio Tobar
Donoso, foreign ministers OF Argen-
tina, Brazil and Ecuador. A settle
ment was believed near.
In advance Of any actual voting
showdown, observers expressed be-
lief that the Argentine delegation
and perhaps that Of Chile would
oppose outright severance Of rela-
tions which representatives Of the
other American republics reportedly
favor.
DR.. Ruiz Guinazu, conferred at
length yesterday with President
Getulio Vargas OF Brazil, United
States Undersecretary of State Sum-
ner Welles and Juan Bautista Ro-
setti. Foreign Minister Of Chile.
Il can definitely say" Ruiz GUM
azu declared later, that there will
be no Argentina decision tomorrow !"
Ruiz Guinazu Nom Committal.
The Argentine Foreign Minister
added that he could not say whether
the proposal for severance Of rela-
tions would be satisfactory or un-
satisfactory from the Argentine
viewpoint"
Other nations. with Brazil play
ing an especially active part. kept
up considerable pressure to bring
Argentina to . decision-today II
possible.
Aurelio Fernandez Concheso. rep
resenting Cuba, said he was de-
termined to call vigorously for 100
per cent support Of a resolution
breaking of with the Axis.
Ruiz Guinazu and other dele
gates from Argentina refused TO
confirm or deny reports that they
had q counterproposal to submit.
Chile's position was regarded as
somewhat uncertain, due largely to
her internal political situation. She
has 4 national election coming up
next month which may have strong
bearing on her foreign policy.
Some Chileans. sources here said,
believe Japan might regard . sew
erance Of diplomatic relations as
an act Of war.
Factors in Maneuvers.
As the conference entered new
week these factors figured In the
complicated maneuvers aimed at
eviction of the Axis from this hemi-
sphere, q move vital to the United
States war effort:
l. President Vargas was reported
strongly backing the drive Of For
eign Minister Aranha to get Argen-
tina into the fold.
2. Chile was described in informed
circles as being "hopelessly con-
fused"
3. The 19-nation front backing .
complete rupture Of relations with
the Axis holds firmly together and
its leaders are confident that there
will be no detection at any time.
Castillo Rouses Interest.
The conference delegates spent
yesterday afternoon at a special
race program at the fashionable
Jockey Club, but then renewed their
discussions with intense interest IN
the assertions Argentina's Acting
President, Ramon s. Castillo, made
in an interview with the Associated
Press at Buenos Aires Saturday
night.
Castillo said Argentina was pre-
pared to impose rigid restrictions on
4 = A.