New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-30
OR SOUTHERN NEIGHBoRS.

It would be insincere 10 affect surprise at the
unfayorable expressions Of some South Ameri-
cans concerning the policy and conduct OF the
United States in Panama, and it would be folly
10 attempt to ignore them. Those greatly ex-
Rggerate the case, of course, who say we have
aroused the distrust and animOSity Of all
South America and have not a friend left
upon that continent There is no evidence that
any considerable enmity toward the United
States IS felt In South America excepting IN
four States, three Of which belong In the minor
class. On the contrary, there are convincing
indications that in all but those four this coun-
try is generally regarded with confidence and
friendship, and that whatever unfriendiness
exists in them is less than the friendliness
which exists in the four exceptions This state
ment applies not only TO the general policy and
relations OF the United States, but also spe-
cihcslly TO its conduct in Panama. In proof Of
which witness the utterances which we have
quoted from representative South American
papers.
But es we may frankly say we anticipated,
there are some disappearing and unfriendly
voices. They are IN four States. One IS Of
course, Colombia; baked IN her attempt TO
hold up" the United States. A second is Ven
ezuela, once part Of Colombia, and probably the
most turbulent and disorderly Of all South
American States; which we might Tux with
strange ingratitude for our salvation of her
from spoliaton less than ten years ago. A third
Is Ecuador, also former part of Colombia,
and one OF the least liberal and least progressive
States The fourth is Chill, which for many
years, for reasons too familiar TO need rehearsal
has been less friendly TO US than any OF her
neighbors. 1t is, we say. not surprising that in
these four States, forming a small minority of
the continent, there are some sentiments of dis
affection and even Of enmity toward the United
States. We are not sure, however, that such
sentiments are either popularity or officially
dominant while we perceive unmistakable eyi-
denoes that instead Of increasing in volume and
intensity, they are decreasing and are more
and more being counterbalanced with more
sane and more anlicable views.
We quoted in Sundays Tribune some note
worthy evidence 10 this effect. The semi-oficiaI
"Mecurio." OF Chill, for example, sees in the
defeat Of Colombia and the construction OF the
canal by the United States no menace to South
America This country. it believes, viii never
unjGstiy Cypress SIS southern neghbors The
danger OF South American States lies in their
own domestic bad management, not in North
American schemes Of expansion. That utter
anee IS the voice Of pure reason and il is graft
flying "a hear It widely echoed. -Four other
Chiiian papers which we have quoted also de-
clare that tie South American States have
nothing 20 fear from this country, that instead
OF fearing and antagoniZing il they ought 10
emulate iEs progress and cultivate closer rela-
Mons with II. and that the opening of the canal
by facilitating communication with the United
States VIII incidentally benefit Chili and the
Whole continent The United States they rec
ogTize, is making progress with gigantic strides,
while South America largely stands stIll and
lives in tie past The way to avoid being out
stripped and oyershadOWed by this country is
10 try 70 surpass il in progress. and not to lag
behind and rail- az IL FOR going ahead
snch sentiments and expressions as these are
altogether 70 be commended and encouraged.