From January 10 to February 10
UNITED STATES AND LATIN AMERICA
Pan-American Pact.—On January 23 the 21 American republics represented at the Rio de Janeiro Conference agreed unanimously on what was described as a “modified break” with the Axis powers. The chief difficulty at the conference arose over the objections of Argentina, with some support from Chile, to an immediate and compulsory severance of relations with the Axis. As originally worded, Article III declared “the American republics . . . cannot maintain diplomatic relations with Japan, Germany, and Italy. ...” In the interests of unanimity this was altered to the milder wording given below. In opposition to Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela favored a joint, simultaneous break and declared they had the support of 19 nations for this course. As finally adopted, the resolution read:
Article I.—The American republics reaffirm their declaration of considering every act of aggression on the part of a non-American state as an act of aggression on all of them, since such an act constitutes an act against the liberty and independence of America.
Article II.—The American republics reaffirm their complete solidarity and determination to cooperate together for mutual protection until the effects of the existing aggression to the continent shall have disappeared.
Article III.—The American Republics in accordance with the procedure established by their own laws and within the position and circumstances of each country in the actual continental conflict, recommend the rupture of their diplomatic relations with Japan, Germany, and Italy, since the first of these States has attacked and the other two have declared war on an American country.
Article IV.—The American Republics finally declare that before they re-establish relations with the nations in the preceding paragraph, they will consult together in order that their decision may be collective and unanimous.
Breaks with Axis.—Within two days after the adjournment of the Rio Conference on January 24, four South American nations—Peru, Uruguay, Boliva, and Paraguay—had broken off diplomatic and economic relations with Germany, Italy, and Japan as called for in the conference resolution. Brazil and Ecuador soon took similar action. After the liberal victory in her Presidential elections it was expected that Chile might do likewise and that Argentina might act in due time. As the record stood on February 10, ten American nations—United States, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Salvador—were at war with the Axis. Nine others had severed relations, and only two had failed to take action.
Defense and Economic Measures.— In addition to the diplomatic agreement reached at Rio de Janeiro, resolutions were passed for a hemispheric defense commission to be established in Washington, for adherence of Latin-American nations to the Atlantic Charter, and for “additional measures which shall be necessary, during the present continental emergency, to stop all commercial and financial interchange, direct or indirect, between the Western Hemisphere and the nations which are signatory to the Tripartite Pact and territories dominated by them.” The proposals of the United States delegates, most of which could be put into effect only by degrees, involved (1) establishment of a common denominator, perhaps based on the U. S. dollar, to facilitate trade exchanges among the anti-Axis countries, (2) projects to speed war production, (3) ownership of airlines of each country by bona-fide nationals, (4) free interchange of strategic materials and essential commodities, (5) interchange of technical commissions and skilled workers, (6) establishment of a gold stabilization fund.
Peru-Ecuador Pact.—Before leaving Rio de Janeiro the delegates at the conference succeeded in putting another, perhaps permanent, patch on the 125-year-old boundary dispute between Peru and Ecuador. According to the protocol, to be ratified by the congresses of the two countries within 30 days, a boundary was to be established by a joint commission of the two countries with the aid of military experts from the United States, Argentina, and Chile. This boundary was to be that of the 1936 status quo, with minor compensations to each side. Peru was to withdraw her troops within 15 days to a line set by the mediating powers, and Ecuador was to have the right of free navigation of the Amazon and its tributaries.
Chilean Elections.—Chile’s action regarding a diplomatic break with the Axis was held up pending the results of the presidential election on February 1, which was essentially a contest between coalitions of the Right and Left. General Ibanez del Campo, the Right Wing candidate, had the support of upper class conservatives and of the small but active pro-Nazi party. In the outcome the Popular Front candidate, Juan Antonio Rios, was elected by a comfortable majority of over 55,000 out of about 460,000 total votes, his support coming chiefly from the working classes. It was expected that Chile’s diplomatic rupture with the Axis nations would follow quickly upon the establishment of the new regime.
Mexico-United States Joint Defense.—On January 12 it was announced that a United States-Mexican Joint Defense Commission had been established and would hold its first session in Washington. Representatives on the commission included Lieutenant General Stanley D. Embick, who is also a member of the United States-Canadian Joint Board, Vice Admiral Alfred W. Johnson (Retired), and Brigadier General Tomas Sanchez Hernandez, military historian and chief of the Technical Division of the Mexican Army. Mexico early in January extended permission to United States ships and aircraft to remain for unrestricted periods in Mexican ports and airfields, and at Acapulco, on the west coast, a large concrete pier is under construction which will be open for use by United States war vessels. Mexican military forces have also been sent into Lower California to guard against the use of its coast by the Japanese in locating supply bases for submarines or aircraft. Ex-President Lazaro Cardenas was made commander in chief in this area.
St. Pierre-Miquelon Proposals.—In January the American State Department sought a way out of its difficulties with the Free French over the seizure of the little islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon by proposing that the Free French forces evacuate the islands at least temporarily so that the inhabitants could conduct a second plebiscite on the question of allegiance to Vichy or General de Gaulle. Since the first plebiscite was over 10 to 1 against Vichy, there could be little doubt of the result, but the withdrawal would remove any suspicion of force. The Free French attitude toward this suggestion was not revealed, though Vice Admiral Emile Muselier had said earlier that his forces were in the islands to stay.
Accounts of the diplomatic complications over these tiny French fishing stations revealed that the Free French in mid-December had sought Anglo-American approval for taking them over, but that this was withheld in Washington. Later, on an apparently incorrect report of a United States-Canadian move to seize the island wireless station, General De Gaulle felt that he had not been treated with full confidence and ordered Muselier to proceed independently from Halifax. The Free French view was that since there had been no shift of sovereignty, there was no reason for subsequent action by the American nations under the Havana Convention or otherwise.
BRITAIN AND THE WAR
War Production Reorganized.— After his American visit Prime Minister Churchill returned to London on January 17, having made the Atlantic passage in a flying boat via Bermuda, where he addressed the local legislature. Following an extended report on the war situation and three days of debate in Parliament, the Premier called for a vote of confidence, primarily over the government’s past policy in giving priority to Russia and Libya over the Far East in the distribution of forces and supplies. The vote was 464 to 1, with but a single member of the Independent Labor party in opposition, though 67 members present abstained from voting. Thereafter, in accordance with promises made, the Premier set about a further speed-up in munitions supply by creating a new ministry of war production with Lord Beaverbrook at its head. Sir Andrew Duncan went back to the Ministry of Supply vacated by Beaverbrook, and other cabinet shifts were involved.
Combined Staffs Plan.—At Washington as chief liaison officer the Prime Minister left Field Marshal Sir John Dill, former Chief of the Imperial General Staff, who with Admiral Sir Charles Little, Lieutenant-General Sir Colville Wemyss, and Air Marshal A. T. Harris, already in this country as heads of military missions, would act in co-operation with American naval, army, and air chiefs. Thus was brought about what was described in a U. S. War Department statement of February 6 as “a combined chiefs of staff” organization, with the two staff groups, in Washington and London, working in close collaboration to secure unity of major strategical direction and military effort. Problems of the Pacific would be referred primarily to Washington. Representatives of China, the Netherlands East Indies, Australia, and New Zealand would be fully consulted in all matters concerning their national forces and interests. According to President Roosevelt’s explanation, when a question from General Wavell’s command required action by higher authorities, two copies would be made, one of which would go to Washington for action, and the other to London, which would recommend to Washington. The President emphasized that there was no sharp line of delimitation between the military and political members, and the War Department announcement made it clear that the President and Prime Minister would have the final word in major decisions both political and strategic.
Objections from Eire.—Reports from Eire at the close of January indicated that the De Valera Government took exception to the establishment of United States troops in North Ireland and would have protested to the British Government had it been consulted prior to the move. The action was regarded as giving some kind of sanction to the division of Ireland, and as devised to bring pressure on Eire to enter the war on the side of the Allies. Before releasing her bases for Anglo- American use, Eire wanted very definite promises of a post-war United Ireland. It was pointed out, however, that without formal entry into the war, Eire has supplied between 90,000 and 100,000 volunteers, whereas the more highly industrialized North Ireland has supplied only 23,000. It was also stated that in recent months Britain has been providing Eire with some munitions, though not on the scale needed for adequate air defense.
Pacts in Near East.—In January the British Government strengthened its political ties in the Near East by agreements with both Iran and Ethiopia. In the Teheran pact, in which the Soviet Government was a third party, Iran agreed to accept the protection of the two major powers for the course of the war. All means of communication were turned over to their control for the passage of troops and supplies. Land, sea, and air forces of Russia and Britain could be maintained in Iranian territory, but the two powers agreed to their withdrawal within six months after the close of hostilities. In general, the agreement simply regularized the conditions established by the occupation of Iran last year.
In the Ethiopian pact Britain promised Emperor Haile Selassie a grant of £2,500,000 over the next two years, in return for which Britain was to have control of Ethiopian foreign policy, provide military advisers and magistrates in the higher courts, and manage the railway. If Ethiopia wished to join the “Inter-Allied Council of Nations Fighting the Axis,” her request would be considered.
EUROPEAN CONTINENT
Spain Accuses Free French.—Free French naval forces were violently attacked by the Spanish government newspaper Arriba in mid-January for violation of Spanish territory. The offense was alleged to have taken place on the Spanish island of Fernando Po, off the west coast of Africa, where French forces entered the harbor and seized three Axis merchant vessels. Official Spanish protests, if forwarded to Britain as sponsors of De Gaulle, were not made public. Fernando Po is one of a chain of small Spanish islands just below the hump of West Africa, lying across lines of present Anglo-American air communications with the middle East. Taking advantage of the news from Spain, British forces later reported the capture of other Axis vessels in the vicinity.
Sweden Stays Neutral.—In his speech at the opening of Parliament on January 12 King Gustaf of Sweden promised continuation of a policy “preserving the peace and freedom of our country uninfringed.” At the same time the Parliament was called upon to approve a new five-year plan for increasing heavy tanks and antitank weapons, strengthening air and coast defenses, and giving the Navy more submarines, destroyers, and motor torpedo craft, to be provided by a 10 per cent increase in taxes.
Across the border in Norway, Major Vidkun Quisling on February 1 was formally proclaimed Premier by Reich Commissar Terboven. Norwegians in exile declared there had been no change of sentiment in the country, and no decrease in courts-martial and executions of opponents of German rule.
New Czech Cabinet.—On January 19 the ministry of the Nazi puppet state of Bohemia-Moravia was reorganized, evidently as a preliminary move toward the complete taking over of the country with the “Greater German Reich.” The new ministry included a German as Minister of Economy and Labor.
Chetnik Warfare in Serbia.—Acting on orders from their German overlords, the Serbian puppet government in Yugoslavia issued in January a new series of orders to district leaders (patterned on Nazi Gauleiters) to suppress the Chetnik revolt throughout Old Serbia. Districts were to be “cleared of Communists,” all existing parties disbanded, younger men installed as local officials, foodstuffs provided, etc. Accomplishment of this last was another matter. To combat the Chetniks, it was reported that arrangements had been made at Budapest for Bulgarian and Hungarian troops to take over police duties, releasing Germans and Italians for service elsewhere. From the Chetniks under General Mukhailovitch all reports were of relentless warfare, but of a dangerous shortage of foodstuffs, munitions, and especially shells and mines. Supply of such materials by planes or submarines was considered not altogether unfeasible.
FAR EAST
Burma Premier Arrested.—The Premier of Burma, U-Saw, who visited Britain and the United States last autumn with the aim of securing dominion status for his country, was arrested by the British government, probably at Cairo, while on his way home. In its announcement the British government stated that, according to its information and his own admission, U-Saw had been in contact with Japanese agents since (and no doubt before) the outbreak of war between Britain and Japan. In Burma a new Premier was appointed and Burmese troops joined in the defense of their territory against the Japanese invasion. While in London U-Saw had received little definite encouragement in his talks with Premier Churchill and the Secretary of State for India.
Peace Bid to China.—Japan’s desire to end the China War, at least for the present, on almost any terms, was indicated by Premier Hideki Tojo’s speech in Parliament on January 23. Japan, he said, was merely “chastening a spoiled child who had been pampered by Anglo- America.” But, Chungking leaders, he added, would be “received with open arms” if they now woke up to their own best interests and came to terms with Tokyo. In Chungking, government officials, though critical of present Anglo-American support in the East, appeared little inclined to consider the Japanese overtures. China was one of the 26 nations which signed the Washington Agreement pledging no separate peace or armistice with the Axis.
Russia and the Pacific War.—In his speech to Parliament on January 23 Premier Tojo made the interesting statement that at the outset of the Pacific War Japan had received assurances that the Soviet government would observe its neutrality pact with Japan “to the letter.” The Premier stated further that negotiations for a new fisheries agreement, to replace the one which expired on December 31, were “promising.” From Moscow came reports that the fisheries pact, usually extended for another year in January, remained still unsigned, and that press and public sentiment regarding events in the Far East continued anti-Japanese. Returning from Russia, British Ambassador Sir Stafford Cripps declared that the Soviet government and Japan had longstanding differences which could ultimately be settled only by force. With twice the number of troops it had at the beginning of the war last June, Russia, he said, was prepared to deal with its enemies either in the East or in the West.