30 DECEMBER 1938, Page 2

The Results of Lima The deprecations of Pan-Americanism, as it

emerged at Lima, which are appearing in the Press of Italy and Germany have little substance. The totalitarian States have gained nothing. That at least is clear, however much the actual results may have fallen below the expectations of even expert observers. Lima has carried farther the policy of the "good neighbour" and the task of co-operation initiated at Buenos Ayres in 1936. The solidarity of the Americas has been affirmed ; racial and religious bigotry, and political activity on the part of aliens, have been condemned ; liberal trade policies have been agreed on ; and the American States are now pledged to the principle of mutual defence "against all foreign -intervention or activity" that may threaten them. Those are achievements which form a solid basis on which to build. Above all there should now be closer economic co-operation to counteract the ascendancy of the totalitarian States in some of the Latin-American markets. Decisions at Lima have been unanimous and the declarations issued are of the highest importance. In particular the " declaration of American principles" is an apt restatement of democratic fundamentals. The republics of the south are obviously willing to co-operate with the United States in keeping the dictator countries out of the Western hemisphere, and that was the clearest and most fundamental issue before the conference.

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