SOUTH AMERICA AND AXIS

Southland Times, Issue 24651, 24 January 1942, Page 5

SOUTH AMERICA AND AXIS

Situation Obscure

(Rec. 10 p.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 22. Dispatches from Rio de Janeiro in-, dicate that the situation is still not clear, with the prospects of Argentine participation in the joint severance of relations with the Axis now slightly less favourable, although attempts are still being made for a compromise agreement.. The United Press says that the Foreign Ministers have given Argentine until tomorrow afternoon to support the resolution for the severance of diplomatic relations with the Axis.

According to a message from Buenos Aires the acting President of Argentina, Dr Ramon S. Castillo said: “Argentina does not agree that an attack on one American nation signifies that all others should take a position of belligerency.”

Senator Tom Connally, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, declared that American officials hoped that Dr Castillo “will change his mind or the Argentine people will change their president. There is a very critical political situation in Argentine with the national elections scheduled soon. If the people could have a free election they would vote for us. The Government machinery is so oiled, however, that the Government ticket may be elected.”

Satisfaction is expressed in London at the report that a sub-committee of the American Conference at Rio De Janeiro, where the representatives of 29 nations are present, has agreed upon a statement providing for the severance of relations with the Axis Powers. The statement is expected to come before the full conference as a declaration which will then have to be ratified by the individual nations according to the procedure of their own constitutions. The Evening Standard, describing the development of events as “a setback for one of Hitler’s hopes,” adds, “Mr Roosevelt denies the conception of fighting an isolated war just as he. so long and bitterly contested the illusion of an isolationist peace. Hence the importance of Rio. Full protection for the United States flank would require a decision by the South American States to sffimp out Fifth Columnists at home, and put their faith in an Allied victory abroad. The declaration brings these States much nearer that frame of mind.” GERMAN WARNING It is reported that Germany has sent a new warning to Brazil and probably other Latin-American nations that a break in relations would mean war. Brazil is reported to be taking widespread defence preparations and drastic precautions against subversive elements.

The other day Dr Costillo was reported as saying that “right or wrong Argentina will not break off relations with Germany, Japan and Italy.”