LATIN AMERICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16816, 5 April 1918, Page 4

LATIN AMERICA.

The prospect of an early release of 350,000 tons o! German shipping from South American ports to carry wheat to Europe is indicated by to-day's cablegrams. The South and Central American republics have been slow to take action, but their war policies are being influenced by the same reasons which compelled the United States to see that both duty and interest demanded that she should definitely throw in her lot with the allies. For some time past public feeling in the South and Central American republics has been growing more and more hostile to the Central Powers. Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, the Argentine, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Haiti, and Honduras have broken relations with Germany, while , Brazil, Panama, and Cuba have actually declared war. Ecuador has practically, though not formally, severed relations. Colombia, Venezuela, Chili, Salvador, and Mexico have so far made no definite decision. South America has suffered from the enemy's intrigues and piratical methods. In April of last year Uruguay declared that she did not recognise Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, and that she did recognise that the action of the United States in going l< war was a propor answer to Germany's crimes. Uruguay also joined in the suggestion that the South American States should act in concert. In reply to the Pope's peace Note the Brazilian Government stated that the republics of the New World, being equally "menaced in their liberties and their sovereignty, draw closer the bonds of the solidarity which formerly was merely geographic, economic* and historic, and which the necessities of selfdefence now make political as well." The hostility of the South American nations is a serious matter for Germany. . The. Berlin authorities hoped to be able to carry through important political aims in Latin America. According to a despatch by Count Luxburg, dated July 7, 191?, these aims included " the maintenance of open market in Argentina, and the reorganisation el. South Brazil equally well whether with ,or against Argentina." The despatch concludes with these significant words: " Prospect excellent for wheat harvest in December." Whatever the South American States may do as far as military operations are concerned, they can certainly render valuable assistance to the allies by helping them to maintain their food supplies. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this aid, and it is satisfactory to know that none of the wheat harvest on which Count Luxburg cast his envious eyes will find it 3 way to Austria or Germany.