The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-01-14
rAE AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Argentina may De loIOeu NJ
isolation from its American nelgA-
bors il it opposes Joint severance
of diplomatic relations with the
Axis powers at the third consulta-
tive meeting Of American foreign
ministers beginning Thu sday.
formal break between all
American nations with the eXcep-
ton OF Argentina, and Germany
Italy and Japan seems almost GER
tain OF approval at the opening ses-
sion OF the conference in Tiradentes
Palace.
Ten OF the 81 American republics
have declared war against the AXIS
Chile and Uruguay have expressed
the need for American unity, dis
polling reports that recent confer
ences at Buenos Aires resulted in
the formulation OF a bloc OF South
American nations against joint ac-
ton.
To Under-secretary OF State sum
ner Welles, heading the United
States delegation. falls the JOB or
comforting with Argentine Foreign
Minister Enrique Ruiz Guinazu IN
an effort to convince him OF the ad-
vantages Of Pan.American unity.
Guinazu recently reiterated his
governments stubborn opposition
to formal break with the Axis. say
ing Argentina would refuse TO I'M
dertake further "pre-belligerency
engagements
Argentine public opinion, which
strongly favors a solid hemisphere
front with the United States, may
Influence the governments attitude.
There is even a possibility that in
ternal trouble may result in Argen-
tina II II forces the nation 70
isolation from its neighbors, particu-
larly because the country needs ex-
port outlets for wheat and beef and
vital supplies, such as steel and
coal, from the United States.
The entire program Of the con
ference, aimed al hemisphere de-
tense and economic solidarity
hinges upon the proposal for a joint
severance OF Axis relations and the
big job will be to prevent Argentina
from disturbing the common Will
through the dissenting role it played
in the Pan-American conferences at
Lima and Havana. This does not
mean. however. that the United
States is seeking a unanimous
declaration OF war against the Axis
powers. We aren't ready for that
yet Such unanimous declaration on
the part OF all South American na-
tons would mean that our already
hard pressed navy would be forced
10 protect the vast South American
shore lines with only the slight aid
that could come from the very linn
tied navies OF Brazil, Chile and
Argentina.
There is the difficulty, OF course,
that Germany and Japan can see
this situation As well as we. They
may try 10 bring about such situ4-
ton. They might even go so far as
to take the initiative in declaring
war II they feel that their strength
warrants such a move.
As the actual work OF the confer
ence starts tomorrow, the two mar
groups will consider defense and
economic solidarity. Welles will b
member OF the defense committee
and Under-secretary OF Commerce
Wayne c. Taylor, the Unite
States No 2 man. will represent
the United States on the economE
committee
The conference is expected to con
tinue until Jan. p, although efforts
will be made to limit It to eigh
days
Welles and the United States dele
CATION. upon their arrival by air
were greeted with a spontaneou
demonstration rivaling that accord
ed President Roosevelt at Bueno
Aires in 1896. They were encoui
aged to find crowd OF 5000 shout
ing Viva the United States" WV
Roosevelt which speaks well 70
the attitude OF the people and prom
Uses a favora bic az, cement.