MAJOR ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 22, 25 July 1940, Page 12

MAJOR ISSUE

AMERICAN CONFERENCE STATUS OF POSSESSIONS TRUSTEESHIP PLAN (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright} HAVANA, July 24. The Pan-American Conference, in discussing the status of European possessions in the Americas in connection with possible changes arising out of the war, has before it the following proposals:— 1. The Americas shall not observe conquests by force in this hemisphere and shall not recognise any transference, directly or indirectly., 2. The Americas may judge whether any change in the political status of the possessors as of September 1, 1939, affects the independence and liberty of action of their possessions. 3. In the event of their having to proceed against possessions it will not mean that the Americas will seek territorial expansion. 4. The territories affected may be returned to their original owners provided this does not affect American security or may be declared independent if they are able to govern themselves. 5. In the event of territory being taken over it would be controlled by a committee from the United States which would be empowered to ask for military help to protect the territory. The Argentine delegate, Senor Melo, conferred with Mr. Hull for two hours and is reported to have notified the American Secretary of State that the collective trusteeship proposal will not meet with Argentina's approval. It will possibly be the issue on which the chief fight in the conference will be centred.