DEFINITE STAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 302, 22 December 1939, Page 7

DEFINITE STAND.

NEUTRALITY ZONE

American Republics To Warn

Belligerents.

HINT OF DRASTIC MEASURES,

United Fress Aesoriation.—Copyright.

WASHINGTON, December 21

A joint declaration accusing the European belligerents of repeatedly violating the western hemisphere neutrality zone and warning them against future violations is beinoprepared by the 21 republics in a joint diplomatic consultation.

The President of Panama will communicate the .declaration, which will contain a clear-cut indication that the American republics will be forced in future to take more than diplomatic action to see that the zone is respected.

Also, the United States and the Latm republics are further consulting as to a common policy regarding belligerent warshipa enterin** their ports.

The State Deportment lias sent a circular communication to the LatinAmerican republics concerning the declaration and is obtaining theii" views, although it is understood the United States did not initiate the declaration.

The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, told journalists that he thought the steps the American republics were taking would bring the matter of the neutrality zone to a head.

The United States will almost certainly send a strong Note to Germany requesting & reply to the recent American Note which advised of the establishment of the neutrality belt, and demanding observance "of it. Britain and Fiance replied to the Note favourably, and conditionally on what Germany might do, but Germany, in spite of informal promptings, has not replied.

If this, approach fails, the cuttingoff of supplies to vessels of nations ignoring the belt is likely to be discussed.