MEXICO JOINS ALLIES

Southland Times, Issue 24757, 30 May 1942, Page 5

MEXICO JOINS ALLIES

STATE OF WAR WITH AXIS POWERS (8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 28. A message from Mexico City states that the Mexican Foreign Office announced that Mexico was at war with the Axis nations, although a formal declaration of war was not expected until Monday. . , ... General Camacho made it clear that Mexican troops would not be sent into action in other continents, but did not eliminate the possibility that they might fight on the soil of other American Republics in the Western Hemisphere. Mexico, he said, recognized the limits of her military resources. In the Chamber of Deputies General Camacho pledged all the nations resources and promised to collaborate energetically in saving America. He declared that Mexican neutrality had been violated wantonly by the torpedoing of two Mexican ships. An ovation of several minutes interrupted General Camacho when he said that these sneaking, cowardly attacks decided his Government to accept valiantly the realities of the world situation and ask for a declaration of war against Germany, Italy and Japan. Within an hour of General Camacho’s address the deputies received Bills authorizing the President to declare war, govern by decree and suspend parts of the constitution. The committee to which the Bills were referred will report tomorrow. Mexico’s declaration of war on the Axis, announced by the President, General Camacho, at a special session of the Mexican Congress creates no surprise. It is felt in Britain that bis action typifies a Spirited and democratically minded nation, which in no circumstances would allow itself to be insulted. Tribute is paid to General Camacho’s great wisdom during a period of extreme difficulty.

Mexico is now expected to takp immediate and vigorous measures against potential Fifth Column German and Japanese elements resident in Mexico. Referring to the sinking of two Mexican steamers without cause and without the slightest assistance to members of their crew, the President stated that no reply had been received from Germany to the ultimatum which ended a week after it had been presented. BRAZIL HITS BACK A message from Rio de Janeiro states that Brazilian war planes attacked three Axis submarines and sank one. An Air Ministry communique stated, “Submarine attacks in Brazilian territorial waters against our merchant ships prompted this action by the Air Force to safeguard our sovereignty, the liberty of our navigation and the lives of undefended sailors who were being machine-gunned—in one case after the vessel had been torpedoed and left unable to continue its voyage. After this inhuman aggression to the steamer, Commandants Lyra three submarines were located, pursued and attacked along the Brazilian coasts, one of them being sunk.”

ARGENTINA’S POLICY According to a message from Buenos Aires the Acting President, Dr Ramon Castillo, told the opening session of Congress that his policy of prudence in foreign relations had been Argentina’s best course in contributing to Continental solidarity without compromising the permanent interests of the Republic. He said Argentina had shown her solidarity by according the United States non-belligerent rights.