A "SAFETY BELT"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23930, 4 October 1939, Page 7

A "SAFETY BELT"

, AMERICAN WATERS;; ■; ATTITUDE OF REPUBLICS NEUTRALITY DECLARATION (United Press Association).. ; (By Electric Telegrahp—Copyright) . PANAMA CITY, Oct. 3. (Received Oct; 3, at 10.40 p.m.) Spurred by news of the sinking of the Clement, the Pan-American Conference's committee -for '\ the preservation of peace unanimously approved, a project for the establishment of a "safety belt" around the Americas' to insulate them against belligerents' activities. It excludes the territorial waters of air European possessions in South America.' Delegates interpreted' the sinking of the Clement as a challenge to. the American Republics. Mr Sumner Welles, .the United ' States* • UnderSecretary of State, said:, "This is an example of: European belligerency in American waters that could not come more tirriely ! to demonstrate the necessity for. a safety band of over 50 miles'of sea," The text of the declaration is as follows: ' "The Republics of America solemnly ratified their, position as neutrals in the conflict which is disturbing the peace of Europe, but as the war might reach unexpected derivations and affect the fundamental interests of, the Americas, it is hereby .declared that .nothing would justify the. interests of belligerents prevailing over the rights of neutrals and causing upsets and sufferings of people who by neutrality and distance from the scene, should;. hot suffer fatal or dolorous consequences." , . ' The declaration declares that neutrals shall .not permit:— 1. Their territories to be used as bases for belligerent activity. 2. The activities of their inhabitants to affect the neutrality of the Americas. 3. Enlistments or the preparation of expeditions or the outfitting of ships for hostilities, or the establishment of radio or other belligerent communications.' ~. ;.,,;,,.' .V:, v ;, ■'• 4. The admittance of oyer three belligerent warships io neutral ports or waters at one time for over 24 hours. . , . 5. Neutrals shall demand belligerent ships and aircraft seeking hospitals in the American zone to respect the neutrality laws. . ;.■■■< .-.'. •'. .'".•'> >''■''■•■ 6. Neutrals shall regard the flights of belligerent aircraft over American territory as an infringement of neuttajity.: V. 7. Neutrals shall be authorised to place guards aboard merchantmen of the belligerents'.in. American ports, excessive delays bringing internment' 8. Neutrals shall permit the , transfer of belligerent ships'to neutrals, if done m good faith. v 9. Armed merchantmen shall not be permitted to carry /Oyer four six-inch guns in- the bow;. 1 10. Neutrals may exclude, bel- ; liferent submarines. - i The safety belt excludes the Falkland Islands territorial'waters. : Delegates asserted that the neutrality, declaration complements the Muni-o Doctrine for the first time, establishing a, continental American sea:' , ■/ ?.': '•'••;"■ <:'■ **&''■s■'• Another' provision of the declaration requires the establishment of a permanent neutrality committee of seven experts bti' international law to declare that contraband 'should not-include foodstuffs and clothing destined, for civilians. An economic committee will study the • Chilean proposal to exempt raw materials not used in , the manufacture .of weapons. ' >' ' ~.' FINLAND AND LATVIA PACTS OFFERED BY RUSSIA ' MOSCOW, 2. . A Soviet • broadcast states that Russia is suggesting that Finland and Latvia conclude a pact- similar to the Estonian agreement 1 Two ! hundred German experts have arrived in Moscow, And are proceeding to armament factories in the Urals. ; , ■ v , ', ' ' ( ;.\ DR EURCKHARpt ARRIVAL IN LONDON ' " ' LONDON; Oct.'2, Dr ■ Burckhardt (Danzig High Commissioner) arrived in London and saw Lord Halifax. NEW POLISH (^ M. PADEREWSKI'S SUPPORT - ' PARIS, Oct. 2. Eighty Polish refugees, mostly high Ministerial officials, crossed the Rumanian-Jugoslav' frontier en route to Paris. ,• . .- ..■..;■,■ One of th;em stated that President Moscicki was now in Rumania,, and shortly intended to take ( refuge, m Switzerland. . ~' ; • . M. Paderewski has sent a letter to the new Polish Government supporting this regime; ';