Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1938. NAZISM IN SOUTH AMERICA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 41, 28 November 1938, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1938. NAZISM IN SOUTH AMERICA.

It is a significant sign of the times that the Government ot the United States has exercised all its persuasive powers to ensure that the eighth international conference of American States, which will be held in Peru shortly, shall present a united front against Nazi and Fascist penetration from Europe. That there is reason for consideration of the position is shown by the development in Brazil, where the Government has been constrained to take special measures to combat Nazi influences. Both by organisation and by propaganda Italy and Germany have long been working to strengthen their position in the regard of the South American peoples. A constant barrage of short-wave broadcasts has been •maintained by the German stations. Their sessions in Spanish can be heard in New Zealand by those who care to listen. The Italians have worked patiently and skilfully through diplomatic channels. As many of the republics have considerable populations of German and Italian origin, there have been audiences predisposed to be sympathetic. However, recent observers have found evidence of alarm in the Latin States themselves at the march of this peaceful penetration. In Brazil, in Argentina and in Chili, comparatively strong Fascist movements have been driven temporarily underground. In Paraguay and Bolivia Fascist leanings have been apparent in most of the political developments of recent years. In Columbia, so it is said, the species of domestic policy would reveal in practice some of the the features of Fascism and in other Republics there is the same tendency. President Roosevelt’s present aimjs to press the ' good neighbour policy energetically so that the way may be cleared for concerted action that will combat the subversive movement. The South America republics generally have a genuine regard for the many important links that exist with the United States, where the “good neighbour is recognised as having permanently succeeded the big stick and dollar policies. What is more, Latin America looks to the United States for protection in time of need. The Monroe Doctrine still lives, it is stated, despite its new pan-American multilateral form.” The United States, too, is credited with being sincere in its desire for “good neighbourliness,” and it is claimed that President Roosevelt and Mr Cordell Hull have between them "built up a huge fund of friendship and good faith which, as they have been careful to impress on the Latin Republics, depends on mutual respect for and practice of democracy.