Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
ROOT At MONTEV|DEO
Functions Over Visit of Secre-
tary of State. -
OVATIONS FROM POPULACE
Felicitious Words by Minister Of For
eign Affairs.
ROOTS CHARACTERISTIC REPLY
The Competency Of Latin-America
for Self-Government Heralded
by Monroe Declaration.
ROOTS CHARACTERISTIC REPLY

MONTEVIDEO, August 1.-THE entertain
american Secretary of State, embraced an
automobile excursion, visit to the famous
breeding studs, a reception by the munich
pality, banquet by President Ordonez, a
gala performance at the theater, and q
pyrotechnic display. Popular enthusiasm
is great and the visitors are being greeted
everywhere by cheering crowds.
At the government house banquet Mr..
Root was welcomed in a speech by Minister
Of Foreign Affairs Romeau, who expressed
the confident belief that the visit Of the
of State, would mutually
benefit the relations between the two coun-
tries.
Mr.. Roots Address.
In replying Mr.. Root said: 1T Is most
gratifying to hear from the lips of one Of
the masters of South American diplomacy
one who knows the reality of internation-
al polftics-so just an estimate of the atti-
tude of my own country toward her South
American sisters.
The great declaration Of Monroe, made in
the infancy Of Latin-American liberty, was
an assertion to all the world Of the COM
potency of Latin-Americans to govern
themselves and their countries. That as
sertion my country has always maintained; {;
and my presence here. Is. in part, for the
purpose Of giving evidence of her belief
that the truth Of the assertion has been
demonstrated-that in the progressive de-
velopment which attends the course Of ma
tions the peoples of South America have
proved that their national tendencies and
capacities are and will be on and ever on
In the path Of order and liberty.
Il am here to learn more. and also to
demonstrate our belief in the substantial
similarity of interests and sympathies of
have Justfy indicated thAt sti{ere Il iiotning'
in the growing friendship between our
countries which imperils the interests of
those countries in the old world from which
we have drawn our language, our tradi-
tions and the basis Of our customs and our
laws.
II think it may safely be said that those
nations which planted their feeble colonies
on these shores and from which we have
spread so widely have profited far more
from the independence of the American re-
publics than they would have profited If
their unwlse system of colonial government
had been continued. In the establishment
of these free and independent nations of
this continent they have obtained profit
able outlet for their trade, employment for
their commerce, food for their people and
refuge for their poor and their surplus pop
ulation.
I'VE have done more than that. We have
tried here their experiments in government
for them The reflex action Of American
experiments in government has been felt
in every country in Europe without excep-
tion, and has been far more effective in>s s
influence than any good quality Of the old
colonial system could have been; and now
our prosperity but adds to their prosperity
Intercourse in trade and exchange Of
thought in learning, in literature, in art,
all add to their powers and their prosper
ity, their intellectual activity and their
commercial strength. We still draw from
their stores Of wealth commercially, spirit
ually and Intellectually, and we are begin
ming to return, and in a rich measure with
interest, what we have got from them. We
have learned that national aggrandizement
and national prosperity are to be gained
rather by national friendship than by ma
tional violence.
1.-The friendship for your country that we
from the north have Is a friendship that
imperils no interest Of Europe. 1t Is
friendship that springs from a desire to
promote the common welfare Of mankind
by advancing the rule OF order, of justice,
of humanity and of the Christianity which
makes for the prosperity and happiness OF
all mankind.
1T is not as messenger Of strife that 1
come to you, but I am here as the advocate
of universal friendship and peace.