Evening star., 1951-03-29
Latin American Fears
|mperiI U. 5. Plan for
Collective Defense
By Gornett D. Horner

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some Latin American nations to-
day clouded United States hopes OF
persuading all the Americas to
concentrate on developing their
military power as a collective de-
tense force instead of along strict
ly national lines.
Five of the 20 other American
Republics joined this country in
sponsoring a resolution calling fol
adoption of such a policy at the
Conference of American Foreign
Ministers meeting at the Pan
American Union here.
But rumblings of disagreement
came from some other delegations
Argentina was reported among the
countries holding that their armed
forces could not be used except
for defense of their own borders
Efficacy in Doubt.
United States officials still
hoped that the principle of a
balanced collective force would
be accepted. There was consider
able question about the degree to
which this policy could be made
effective. however.
The resolution calls for each
of the American republics to
strengthen those forces best
adapted to the collective defense"
in accordance with plans to be
prepared by the Inter American
Defense Board.
It is contemplated that each
country would be given a specific
task for common defense. This
might involve help from some of
the South American nations in
defending the Panama Canal
which Ecuador has offered.
United States arms aid to Latin
American nations, under an $50
million program for which the
administration is expected soon
to ask congressional approval,
would be directly related to such
specific tasks.
Mexico Joins u. S. as Sponsor.
AS companion measure to the
collective defense force resolution,
the United States and Mexico
sponsored a proposal to ease ten
sions among Latin American
countries.
The military potential of many
of the supposed good neighbor"
nations now is neutralized to a
large extent by rivalries which
keep the bulk of their armed
forces stationed near common
frontiers, informed officials esti-
mate.
The United States-Mexico reso-
luton asserts that each of the
Americas should devote its ener-
gies to strengthening it's ability
to contribute to the common de-
fense against international Com
munist aggression.
It proposes, therefore, that the
American Republics resolve to
make every effort to settle any
disputes between them which
threaten friendly relations in the
shortest possible time"
Any breach Of friendly rela-
tions within this hemisphere "can
only serve to provide aid and COM
fort" to leaders Of Communist ag-
gression. the resolution declares.
Another proposal sponsored by
the United States along with five
Latin American delegations, call
ing for all the Americas to deter
mine what steps they can take to
contribute to United Nations COL
lective security efforts as we'll as
to Western Hemisphere defense,
appeared headed for controversy.
Several other delegates are pre-
pared to argue that the conference
here should stick to hemisphere
affairs.
A flood Of economic resolutions
confronted the conference. Ecua-
dor put in a new proposal yester-
day that steps be taken to halt
government interference with
press freedom through control of
|newsprint. It recommended a free
flow of newsprint governed only
by supply and demand.
Conference committees worked
on the various resolutions of all
kinds behind closed doors today.
A total of SO proposed resolutions
were on file-21 on economic mat
tiers. 8 on political and military
affairs and 4 on internal security.