LATIN AMERICA: Arms

Following the failure of the Pan-American Conference at Santiago, Chile (TIME, Mar. 10, 1923) to settle upon a plan of naval disarmament, South American republics began to arm, concentrating upon their navies.

Last week, a correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor gave a few facts about the naval armament race in the four principal countries on the South American continent.

Chile, in fear of Peru, has built and opened the largest dry-dock in South America for the purpose of keeping her Navy at the highest point of efficiency.

Peru, advised by a U. S. Naval Mission at Lima, has ordered a fleet of submarines.

Argentina, fearing Brazil, is contemplating a $200,000,000 bond issue for increasing the Navy and Army.

Brazil, whose Navy Department is also receiving the advice of U. S. naval experts, was said to be in the midst of the "greatest naval development in South American history."