MAINTAIN RIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20919, 26 September 1939, Page 8

MAINTAIN RIGHTS

PAN-AMERICAN CONFERENCE EFFECT OF EUROPEAN WAR DISRUPTION OF SHIPPING (United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyright) (Received Sept 26, 11 a.m.) PANAMA, Sept 25 Mr S. Welles, in opening the PanAmerican Conference, offered Latin America economic co-operation from the United States and the assistance of the United States merchant marine as ways of helping to cushion the effect of the war in the western hemisphere. He asserted that the western republics are determined to defend themselves and their rights and called on the delegates to state emphatically: “We cannot agree that the security of nationals and their legitimate commercial interests should be jeopardised by belligerent activities close to the shores of the new world.” Recalling the disruption of interAmerican shipping in 1914, Mr Welles said the United States felt that the “opportunity at present afforded us severally to assure ourselves and each other shall not occur again.” Position of America He was authorised to state that the position of the United States is as follows: “While the present situation continues the regular facilities of the shipping lines at present in operation are not only not being curtailed but are being strengthened and increased whenever an increase is desirable and feasible.” He expressed the opinion that the republic’s desire to consider the rights and duties of neutrals would obtain “complete respect by all belligerents and our respective sovereignties.”