The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-06-13
NORTH AMERICA
 COMPLETELY AT WAR WITH AXIS
By LAWRENCE s. HAAS

By LAWRENCE B. HAAS United Press Latin American Editor
 Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor finds the entire North American continent (including the three Caribbean island republicsl with c population of approximately 185,000, 900, at war with the Axis. Eight of the 10 South Americn republics, with an approximate total population of over 10000, 900, have broken relations with Ger many, Japan and Italy. Brazil, the largest in area and population, en- gagged in the fight against Axis sub-, marines committing depredations against shipping along her lengthy coastdine, although no formal dec- laration of war has been made.
 Only two countries, Argentina and Chile, with total population of something over 100000 re- mained outside the United Nations orbit.
 Mexico Important Ally
 Although the actual fighting bur- den so far as America is concerned remained on the shoulders of the United States and Canada, the other 10 belligerent republics, as well as the eight South American countries that broke with the Axis between December and January 23, are quickening the tempo of their cooperation in the fight.
 All of them are accepting the sacrifice that the war entails with an evident spirit of calm and equa- nimity; they are rationing scarce materials, organizing their armed forces for defense so far as their resources permit and maintaining a rigid control over Axis aliens, many of whom have been jailed, interned or deported.
 The extreme importance of Mex ico's entry into the war, even though not single soldier may be sent to overseas battlefronts, can- not be minimized. Mexican accept ance of the role of belligerent es- tablishes a friend as guard on the southern flank of the United States, assures a complete cleanup of well-entrenched Axis agents in the neighboring republic, and assures a step-up in Mexico's production of a large number of strategic mate rials.
 Aids Canal Defense
 Furthermore, with Mexico as a full-hedged ally of the United States, additional strengthening of the Panama Canal defense may be expected through elimination of much of the red tape, customary in international dealings.
 Mexico's powerful labor and peasant organizations were in the forefront in the demand for war on the Axis following the sinking of the tankerS Potrero de Llano and Faje de Orc, and these groups are the backbone of the country. With such support pledged to President Manuel Avila Camacho, national wartime unity in Mexico seems as- sured
 Many observers have expressed belief that 8 Brazilian declaration of war may be forthcoming soon. However, there are many who feel that Brazil's state of preparedness has not yet reached a point where her government can risk provoca- tion of attacks on her coastline.
 Vulnerable from Air
 Meantime, Brazil is procedeing swiftly to strengthen her defenses, with U. s. lend-lease aid, and CO., operation of U. s. air and naval forces, operating from strategic Brazilian bases.
 Brazirs army is growing. Her re- serve officers have been called into service, and her military flyers, many of them trained by U. s. in- Structors, have been giving an ef- fectiye account of themselves in warfare on submarines.
 Brazil is not neglecting her civil- Ian defenses. Blackout exercises coupled with anti-aircraft artillery practice have become a common thing in her northern port areas, especially in the area of Natal, To- cated only 1,600 miles from Dakar in Vichy- controlled French West Africa,