Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-30
.S0U1AAMER|cA TODAY
An Interesting Talk With
Minister Barrett.
THE YANKEE PERIL
AMERICAN VESSELS NEEDED FOR
AMERICAN TRADE
How We Stand In Argentine-New
Race in Formatfon-Our
Sister Continent.
THE YANKEE PERIL

Copyrighted. 1904. by Frank G. Carpenter.)
Written for The Evening star.
have recently had talk with John Bar
rett the new minister to Panama. Mr.. Bar
rett has had to hustle for his existence. He
was born amid the rocks Of Vermont thirty
eight years ago, and he began his business
life In his shirt sleeves At eighteen he
entered Dartmouth College and worked his
way through paying his expenses by set
ting type, running boarding club, taking
orders for gentlemen's clothing and teach
ing school between times He graduated
with his class and then hustled for fame
and money as a newspaper correspondent.
AS such he visited South America, the
Sandwich Islands. Japan and China, writ
Ing so much about Asiatic trade that his
friends in Portland Ore, where he was
located, asked President Mckinley to make
him consul general to Yokohama. This
place, however, had been given away and
IN It's stead Barrett was made minister to
Siam. This was ten years ago, and he
was not then twenty-eight years of age.
He made a good minister and was acting
as such when the war with Spain broke
out. He then resigned to become a war
correspondent In the Philippines, and later
was made commissioner general for the
Asiatic department of the worlds fair, the
excellent Chinese, Japanese and Indian ex-
hibits being due to his work in that capaci-
offered Mr.. Barrett the mission to Japan.
He refused that, but accepted the position
of minister to the Argentine Republic
which he gave up to represent our govern
ment in the new republic of Panama.
l met Mr.. Barrett during his stay here
at Washington just prior to his departure
for his new post. He was full Of new
matter relating to South America and es-
pecfally to the Argentine Republic, and
this formed the subject of our conversation.
Said he:
The Yankee PERIL
During the past six months have trav-
eled quite extensively in South America and
have met leading men from nearly every re-
public. I have been in Brazil, Uruguay
and Argentina, and while In Buenos Ayres
1 came into frequent communication with
prominent Chieans visiting that city or
passing through on their way to Europe.
1 think I can safely say that our sister
continent Is very much in favor of the
canal, and that the most OF it's people ap-
prove Of the part the United States has
taken in building 1t. When the news of
the revolution in Panama first came there
alarmists talked of the Yankee peril and
the danger of the United States attempting
to take possession of the South American
continent. This talk died out very quickly,
and when the real story Of the revolution
and the action of the United States were
published public sentiment changed. The
people realized that the canal would be
great help to the continent, and they are
very anxious to see the work pushed as
rapidly as possible
Monroe Doctrine in South America.
How do the people down there look upon
the Monroe doctrine?'' asked. 49,
They approve of II" said John Barrett.
'"They realize that they have a strong
friend in the United States, and that it Is
our intention to all them In resisting any
encroachments their territory by Euro
pean powers. l think the relations between
the United States and South America are
growing more friendly every year, and that
If we could have better transportation and
business association we would rapidly be-
come united along many lines of policy. As
1t is now the chief business of South Amer
lea Is with Europe. The best steamship
lines go from the east coast directly to
Europe and there are no fast passenger