The Dominion. THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1918. LATIN AMERICA AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 286, 22 August 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1918. LATIN AMERICA AND THE WAR

Not a great deal has been heard about Brazil since sho entered tho war in October last, but occasional references in'the cabled news show that she is making good use of such opportunities as are open to her of

actively co-operating with her allies. So far her co-operation has been chiefly, though not exclusively, naval, and she has made a not un-

important contribution to the- Allied naval forces in the Mediterranean. The Brazilian warships, most of them built in British yards, include two iwenty-thousand-ton battleships, two cruisers, ten destroyers, and a number of submarines. Admiral de Matios, tho head of a Brazilian naval mission in Europe, observed in the course of a recent statement that, since tho outbreak of war Brazilian squadrons had carried out patrol work in several zones of Allied traffic, in conr junction with the British and American navies. He mentioned also that of the fifty-three German ships seized by his Government, thirty, aggregating 250,000 tons, had been ceded to France in order to relieve tho maritime transport difficulties of that country. Moreover, apart from naval co-operation, Brazil has military surgeons working in hospitals in London! and Paris, and she has sent a large (number of naval and military airmen to Europe. She has ken able, also, to send great quantities of meat, cereals, and other foodstuffs to the Allies. "All these foodstuffs are very plentiful," said Admiral de Mattos, "and Brazil's capacity to supply the Allies is only limited by tho tonnage available. If we had tho ships there would bo no need of rationing." The'dearth of shipping which limits Allied importations of foodstuffs from Brazil; as from other sources of supply, is at thei same time the principal factor limiting her military effort. No doubt had transport been avail•ablo a considerable body of Brazilian troops, as well as airmen, would by this timo have been under training in Europe. Though the contribution Brazil is ililc to make to the resources of the Allies _is_ in itself far from . negligible, it is vastly more important as an indication of tho spirit in which she is facing the issues of this war and the future. _ She takes the lead amongst tho Latin American countries which have declared war on Germany or broken off rolations, not merely on grounds of area and population, but in virtue of the clear proofs she has given of a binglc-hearted and resolute determination to eradicate the blight of German influent and,defeat German schemes 'of ijonetration. Her attitude is. clearly expounded in a Note, in which her Foreign Ministor (Dr. Niio Pecamia) replied to the peace proposals submitted by the Pope in November last year. In the opening passage of that document Dr. Pecanua stated that tho Brazilian nation, which had never engaged in a war of conquest, "would have remained apart from tho conflict in Europe, in ■spite of the sympathy of public opinion for tho Allies' liberal cause, had Germany not extended the war to America, and thereby prevented inter-trading between all neutral' countries."

Without renouncing her obligations as an American notion (the Nolo proceeds) this country could not fail to assnmo the position of a belligerent as a last resource, without hatred or any interest other than tho defenco of our flag and our fundamental rights. Happily to-<l<iy, the republics of the New World aro more or less allied in their rights, but all, equally menaced in their liberties and their sovereignty, draw closer tho bonds of tho solidarity which formerly was merely geographic, economic, and historic, and which the necessities .'of self-defence and national • independence now make political as well. It is hardly necessary to recall the facts which so completely establish the charges made in the Brazilian Note. An actual revolt of Gorman settlers in South Brazil, tho _ T.uxbuTg scandal, and the earlier exposure of German inin Mexico are conspicuous items in the chain of evidence which convicts Germany of plotting,, not only to gain commercial control of the Latin American countries, but to destroy their independence.

Brazil is not alone in her dotcr- | mination to combat and eradicate the German menace as it applies to Latin America. Five of the Central and South American republics arc already at war with Germany, and others.. have broken off relations. On the other hand ono or two of tho larger republics have thus far maintained an attitude which can hardly be regarded as consistent with the ideal of extirpating German influence in every part of the two Americas. In the case of modifying considerations arise from the unsettled internal that,republic, and its low state of political development. No such plea is to bo advanced, however, in the case of Argentina. _ The meaning of German penetration is not less clearly evident in Argentina than elsewhere. Yet in spite of the overwhelming evidence on this point, in spite of the gross provocation of that criminal violation of international law and hospitality in which Count Luxbuhq was the central figure, and regardless of the fact that the Argentine Congress many months ago voted for a severance of relations with Germany, President liugoyen has exerted his great personal influence to tho end of keeping his country in a state of what may fairly be called inglorious neutrality. In his last Message to Congress ho declared that Argentina was "at peace with all tho world," apparently oblivious or indifferent to the fact that in view of tho events which have taken shape during the war period this declaration is' as far as possible from being creditablo to the country to which it is appliedi At the stage thus far readied in developments which bear so vitally on tho whole futuro of Latin America, the attitude of Argentina is in absolute contrast to that of Brazil. The contrast is all the greater .since Brazil and tho other republics which arc at war witli Germany or have broken off relations are manifestly taking the only course consistent with a due regard for their own security and welfare, whereas tho policy of Argentina is incapable of reasonable explanation.' It is at best negative, and involves such an extraordinary toleration of outrage and indifference to an overshadowing menace that it must bo attributed rather to the play of secret and hidden influonoes than to i

considerations that .will bear the light of, day. These fads, however, in themselves fortify a. belief that all, or nearly all, the Latin American republics will ultimately second Brazil in her determination to repel the German menace. To the extent that they prevail as time goes on, sound reason and common sense must tend to carry Argentina and the other republics which still hold aloof into comradeship with Brazil. A special British Mission, under Sin Maurice de Bunsen, which is now- visiting the capitals of the various South American republics, may do much to promote the' common understanding that is needed. The present trend of the war is in itself well calculated to stimulate and promote that solidarity of the Latin American States which, as Brazil has rightly declared, is a necessary guarantee of their future independence and welfare.