The Waikato Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1938 DECLARATION OF LIMA

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20690, 28 December 1938, Page 4

The Waikato Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1938 DECLARATION OF LIMA

Christmas of 1938 has become an historical date in the annals of the Americas. The Declaration of Lima, signed by the 21 republics of North and South Ai&jriea, is an outward and visible sign of a great confederation for the protection of democracy and of peace. The enthusiasm with which the agreement was received was indicative of the fact that America as a whole clings tenaciously to the ideals of democracy and freedom and recognises and resents the inroads of the Fascist doctrine. Only one of the 21 republics, Argentina, showed any hesitation in accepting the terms of the declaration, and that hesitation was due* apparently, rather to a misunderstanding than to any deep-seated dissatisfaction with the general terms of the agreement. Having declared that peace, good neighbourliness and defensive alliance are their common aims, what can the republics expect from the declaration when it is reduced to practical politics ? In tho lirst place it will prpvide the diplomatic machinery to shut out from America the forces of disaffection which, it has been discovered, have honeycombed the Avhole country. Spies, secret agents and antiAmerican propaganda have caused untold trouble, not only in the South American republics but in the United States as well. It was these very activities that caused the United States to seek a comprehensive defensive alliance and attempt generally to close the ranks against the infiltration of “un-American’ 7 influences. It was obvious that the seeds of revolt were being sown and that considerable progress had already been made in many States towards the establishment of a Fascist regime. Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru had all had their serious warnings, and the United States recognised when the great spy ring was revealed that prompt action was necessary if democracy was to be saved from imminent peril. It is indeed rather remarkable that such a degree of unanimity has been reached among the leaders of peoples so diverse in race, religion and political environment. Germans and Italians are strong numerically in most of the republics, and great tact was necessary at the Lima conference to obtain unanimous endorsement of the declaration. Another aspect of the agreement is the effect it is expected to have upon those republics which have beeu warring among themselves. In effect, America has established a League of Nations which will arbitrate in disputes that may arise, and which will make the all important attempt to rationalise the trade relations of the republics. The main ideal is the same as that of the greater League, except that it is exclusive of Europe, the source of most of the world’s troubles. It invites the adoption of similar action by Europe, but as yet remains isolated from any effort to bring about world-wide cooperation and appeasement. The League of Nations would take a new lease of life were it possible to combine the efforts of the two great alliances. In the meantime America has every cause for satisfaction with a great diplomatic achievement which might well be copied in other parts of the world