American Republics Prepare Warning To Belligerents

Northern Advocate, 22 December 1939, Page 5

American Republics Prepare Warning To Belligerents

WASHINGTON, December 20,

A joint declaration, accusing the European belligerents of repeatedly violating the Western Hemisphere neutrality zone, and warning them against future violations, is being prepared 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.

Policy Re Warships,

Also,, the United States and the Latin republics .are further consulting as to a common policy regarding belligerent warships entering their ports. The State Department has sent a circular communication to the LatinAmerican republics concerning the declaration, and is obtaining their views, although it is understood the United States did not initiate the declaration. The Secretary for 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. No Reply From Germany. The United States will almost certainly send a strong Note to Germany requesting a reply to the recent American Note, which advised of the establishment of the neutrality belt, and demanding observance of it. Britain and France 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 cutting of supplies to vessels of nations ignoring the belt is likely to be discussed.