Evening star., 1950-08-06

tIlQ even UulC q U1SBcI loOldOlOA1lSO
uggernaut which he is now un-
able to control"
According to some of the most
Latin American diplo-
natic representatives in Washing
,on, there are a number of reasons
'or the apparent Resistance Of
several of the other governments
10 come out in the open and
pledge military aid in the present
Some are in the midst
If critical political campaigns. and
It would be suicide for any presi-
dential candidate to declare him.
self in favor of risking the lives
Of his fellow citizens in a war
thousands of miles on the other
side of the world.
Political Factors
AS one of them pointed out,
Don't forget that under similar
circumstances both Presidents
Wilson and Franklin D.
even declared that
American boys would not be sent
to fight on foreign SOIL But" he
added, "you will also recall that
after the elections both of them
did send armies overseas" The
presidential campaign in
Brazil is probably the most Bit
terly fought in the history of the
country and at this moment VAR
gas stands a good chance of being
the victorious candidate. Since he
is calling for neutrality the other
candidates can hardly afford to
advocate getting into the fight.
Another and more practical rea-
son why some of the countries are
noncommital is the strong feeling
that We have ignored their eco
nomic needs ever since the end Of
the last war. Leaders in Brazil
and two or three others, have con-
pointed out the growing
GOODNESS in the relations between
their people and Washington, be-
cause of what they insist is our
failure to grant loans and to en-
courage investments in Latin
America in recent years.
Bitter
Some of the leading newspapers
have been particularly bitter about
the fact that at least some Of the
Marshall Plan aid in the form Of
dollars has been used
by Great Britain, France and
others to develop resources in their
African colonies. Recent news
stories from Paris and London tell
of large amounts used to develop
vast agricultural enterprises along
the African west coast, just across
the Atlantic from South America.
Some of these crops are in direct
competition with important agri-
cultural crops IN the South Amer
lean countries.
Some of the diplomats admit
that our defeats in Korea have
had an appreciable psychological
effect on the general populations.
the laboring classes and
peasants. They had been led to
believe that this country had be-
come invincible. They knew we
had the atom bomb in quantities
but they also felt that our Air
Force and our Navy were ready to
quell any ordinary advance, either
in the Atlantic or the Pacific. It
must be remembered that in the
last war several of the countries
hesitated when we were so hard
because they were afraid
that Germany and the Axis powers
were going to win and therefore
wanted to be in a position to
trade with the victors afterward.
individuals Volunteer
The Communists, of course, are
Waging a tremendous campaign
against us in Latin America.
Furthermore, the Communist lead
ers are natives and citizens of the
various countries, therefore their
propaganda is doubly telling. The
main cry of the Reds is that the
Yankees want to use the Latins as
cannon fodder to further their i'm
perialistic designs. They also mag
nifty the already strong feeling
about our failure to give economic
aid and assistance to help build up
Latin American industry and
But if there is official GOODNESS
and hedging, thousands of indivi-
duals in each one of the nations
are not only willing, but anxious
10 get into the fight.
There seems to be no question
hat every nation South of us is
now with us in spirit. and that
most of them would be ready to
light if there should be any di-
'ect attack on the American con-
,inents or in case there should be
any serious uprising in any of the
All of them declare they are
'eady to furnish vast quantities
If raw materials. Naturally none
las said it will furnish anything
pay.
OF course, raw materials, espe-
;ially minerals and metals, are the
most needed assistance that this
country can have in case the war
continues or if it doesn't, to carry
out the tremendous armament
program which we must have in
he future. But from the human,
The psychological standpoint, q
definite offer of troops, an indica-
ion of willingness to fight against
he common enemy of all Western
is vital.
Failure to take such a stand
olays directly into the hands Of
;he communists both in Latin
America and throughout the