New-York tribune., 1906-07-04
SECRETARY ROOTS MISSION.

The departure of Secretary Root from this
country to attend the earlier sessions of the
Pan-American Congress at Rio JaneirO and to
circumnavigate the South American Continent
visiting on the way nearly every one of its
states, is invested with much more than Incl
dental and personal interest 1t is an occur
renee unique in character, widespread and pro-
found in it's significance, and highly important
in it's probable and expected results. 1t is an
extraordinary thing for an American Secretary
of State to make such a Journey but the cir
cumstances of it and the ends to be served are
also extraordinary The last few years have
seen a notable increase of interest throughout
the United States in the South American repub
lies. and that interest has come not only to
comprise the relations between the United States
and Latin America but also to affect strongly
the relations of this country with the rest of
the world. In view Of such facts, the coming
congress at the Brazilian capital is worthy of
the most serious attention even of the personal
attention and attendance of the Secretary Of
State.
Mr.. Roots presence during part of the ses-
sions of the congress will unquestOnably invest
that gathering with additional dignity and au-
thority in the eyes of the world. and for that
purpose alone it might have been worth while
for him to undertake the journey. That it will
also strengthen the influence of the United
and may be regarded as a desirable thing. For
while in that congress, for voting purposes, all
states will be equal it is fitting that the United
States as the oldest and by far the largest and
most powerful of all, and the one to which many
OF the others look more and more for champion
ship should have an exceptionally potent voice
in the deliberations Of the congress. We may
without offence say that just as it has been the
United States that, through it's assertion of the
Monroe Doctrine, has for fOufscore years pro-
tected the tin-American States in their integ-
rity and independence, so it is the participation
of this country in the Pan-American Congress
which gives to that body its chief Importance
in the eyes of the world.
1t is as well to recognize frankly that Mr..
Root has also before him the task Of increasing
we would not say creating or restOring-SOuth
American confidence in and affection toward the
United States. Every well informed observer
has felt many times in recent years that num-
Der of the South American states regarded this
country with a degree of distrust, if not Of
outright antagonism. There has been no justif-
cation for that feeling, but it has existed, and
some recent occurrences may have aggravated it.
Thus it was the earnest desire of some of those
states to have the sO-called CalvO or DragO
Doctrine adopted by the congress as fixed rule
of American international law, and it is likely
that such action would have been determined
upon had II not been for the feSoIute opposition
of the United States. There is reason to fear.
moreover, that such exercise of influence by
the United States is regarded with some resent
ment. II will be well il Secretary Root shall
succeed in allaying that resentment and in con-
vincing those republics that the United States
acted in that matter for the best, and not with
any disregard Of their interests or with any
lack of esteem for their opinions
The American cOmmOnwealths have their set
of special interests, have also the European
states. but in the more important matters OF
international law there must be a community of
interests and Of action between the two hem
ispheres. American states would justly resent
any attempt of Europe TO impose upon them
distastefuI or injurious dicta. But then neither
should the American states attempt to impose
international law upon Europe against the lat
ter's will. It is well. therefore. for the Secre-
tary who is charged with the conduct of our
relations, not only with South America, but also
with Europe, TO bring himself into direct CON
tact with our South American neighbors. 1t
will promote the realization on the part OF those
states. that the Americas are, aft,r all mem
bers III the worldwide family Of nations, and il
will probably conduce TO making the relations
which exist anon. tho American states accord