END TO ISOLATION.

Evening Star, Issue 25675, 26 December 1945, Page 4

END TO ISOLATION.

The development of the “ Good Neighbour ” policy by the United States of America towards the Central andl South American Republics has brought economic progress to those backward States, but it has been accompanied by certain opposition, both among some Republican members of the United States Congress and political leaders in the neighbouring countries. The exercise by the United States of greater influence among near and distant States on the American continent has not always been welcomed by strongly nationalistic Latin Americans, and sporadic demonstrations have occurred in some of the States. The latest of these is reported this week from Panama, which during the war years assumed vital importance because of the existence of the canal. United States interest in maintaining communications through the canal led to extensive strengthening of the fortifications in the area, aud a proposal has even been put forward for a duplication of the canal so that in the event of enemy action succeeding in . blocking one of the routes, it would still be possible for shipping to pass through the narrow isthmus. Not unexpectedly, vast sums of American money have been spent in the tiny republic which connects the two vast land masses., and its effect on local industrial conditions has been viewed in some quarters with disfavour. The former President, Armego Aries, has been blamed for a brief uprising at Colon, and his recent political attack on United States policy has suggested that he may have fomented opposition to the influence wielded from Washington, The necessity for a quick transport route between the United States and the Panama Canal zone has been responsible for a gigantic road-making project, which has received less publicity than the monster undertaking to link California with Alaska —now likely to be abandoned because of the impossibility of keeping the route open at all seasons of.the. year. The scheme in Central America is the more romantic, as it promises ultimately to make possible motor travel from end to end of the American continent. During the war years work has been proceeding on the 3,336-mile Pan-American highway route from the Texas-Mexico border to the Canal zone, hut it will he at. least two years before that road is finished, and much longer before the links from Panama to Buenos Aires take shape. Serious engineering problems have been encountered, notably at Costa Rica’s “Death Pass,” and also in the other four republics which separate the United States and Panaana. The United States Government is bearing a very substantial part of the cost, but contributions have been made by the other States, which recognise the economic value to themselves of the road in opening up to world trade their backward territories. More than anything else, the traffic passing along the roadl will bring the amenities of civilisation to remote territories, .. and ~the Latin Americans will find themselves within easy reach of the large United States markets. The tourist possibilities of such a highway are tremendous. The gaps which still remain on this route total about 1,000 miles, but . the completion is now in sight of a project which will end the isolation of the Central American countries.