THE PAN-AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 68, 13 December 1938, Page 10

THE PAN-AMERICAN CONFERENCE

’ Though the Pan-American Conference in Lima has opened on a note of the greatest earnestness, and with every outward show of goodwill, it is not to be supposed that President Roosevelt’s ideal of a “strong citadel of democracy” for the Americas is necessarily at the point of accomplishment. On the contrary, the. campaign for PanAmerican unity is only just beginning. The United States faces the task of fostering that unity at a time when tremendous, efforts are being ijiade in Europe to gain influence in South America —to win racial and political allegiances, and commercial preferences. Ihe “strong citadel” is no vague or academic concept. It is a necessary alternative —perhaps the only alternative—to nationalistic. development in the New World along lines which' have proved so inimical to the peace of the Old. It is reported that the President of Peru, in an opening address at the conference, said that the attitude of the American republics at this stage of world affairs was one of collaboration, not rebuke, also that the conference leaders were anxious not to “sound any note hostile to Europe.” The reason for this caution is not far to seek. .It arises from a very clear recognition of certain public sympathies in the republics themselves. In the Argentine 56 per cent, of all foreigners are Italians. Buenos Aires is the largest Italian-populated city, in the world, outside Italy. At least 35 per cent, of the 48,000,000 inhabitants of Brazil have Italian blood, and Fascist influence is strong in Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Colombo and Ecuador. . In Uruguay approximately 30 per cent, of the population is Italian, and here, as elsewhere, much headway, has been made by diplomacy and propaganda in holding or converting the Italian population to the Fascist viewpoint. Several republics have accepted the services of military advisers from totalitarian States. An Italian mission trains the Chilean air force and advises the Government of Peru. There are German, army advisers in Chile as well as in Bolivia, and sales of military aircraft have been made by European countries to Salvador and Paraguay. Both Germany and Italy have concentrated in recent years on improving their communications with all South American countries, and Italy in particular has greatly increased and improved her shipping services. This is but the bald outline of a tale of deep penetration, yet_ it is sufficient to indicate the anti-democratic trend. Britain and the United States have never been idle in South America, most of the countries of which remain officially in full accord with democratic piinciples. But democracy has lost ground. The United States delegate, Mr. Cordell Hull (Secretary of State), lost no time in his speech in getting to the point; and he did not mince words in calling on the 21 American republics for military ana political co-operation for defence against ‘ foreign ideologies.

Recently (lie said) powerful forces in some parts of. the world had challenged the validity of the primary and basic principles on which the rest of mankind had been building the edifice of social organization and international life. “There must be not a shadow of doubt that the American nations are determined not to permit an invasion of the western hemisphere by armed forces or by the dissemination of doctrines undermining the institutions of gor eminent or the basic social order.”

Thus Mr. Hull’s objective is made clear. Not only is he sounding a call for the co-operation of the Americas, but he is issuing a warning to the republics of the dangers already in their midst. rhe ominous shadow.” he said, “falls across our own hemisphere.” On' South American reaction to this warning hangs the fate of the United States plan for the democratic unity of the Americas. If the response is negative, or half-hearted, the disturbing struggle for diplomatic ami commercial advantage among the republics will continue and, no doubt, become intensified. If, on the other hand, the United States lead is accepted, even, at first, only m principle, the gam in democratic prestige will be considerable. And (to paraphrase Mr. Hull’s closing words) there will be provided a basis of hope for other nations which, against great odds and in the face of heart-bicaking difficulties, are working for a better world.