The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-07-22

Roots belief that every effort should
be made to break through this wall of
misunderstanding that has been erect
ed between the United States and
South America. They must see us from
a different viewpoint and we must pro-
mote the idea of disinterestedness in
all save that which is for the common
good of those countries and ourselves.
From the business point of view Sec
rotary Root thinks il is essential that
better relations be established as soon
as possible. This country is on the
threshold of a new era of national life.
We have ceased to be a debtor nation
and We have enormous and growing
surplus capital which is seeking in
vestment and which will not find a
highly profitable investment in the
United States; or at least more profit
able returns can be found in those un-
developed countries in the south If
proper conditions prevail. South Amer
lea has material wealth almost beyond
comprehension lying dormant. That
wealth when developed will create a
purchasing power on the part of South
America which is almost unlimited and
if produced by Americans will natur-
ally seek American goods and wares in
exchange.
ATTITUDE WRONG.
Our treatment of the south American
countries in the past has been supercil-
ious and overbearing. or at least that
is the impression we have created. and
il is Secretary Roots desire to correct
the treatment. or the impression. These
people are sensitive. They have many
strong points, among them a pride in
themselves, and they resent our atti-
tude toward them. 1t is the common
practice in the United States to illus
trate on the stage our idea of South
American countries with a burly Con-
sui who grabs two or three natives and
knocks their heads together or pitches
a dozen or more through the window.
asserting the power and superiority of
the United States over her neighbors.
These and similar things have made
the South Americans dislike and dis
trust us and have erected a barrier to
our newly acquired capacity to enter
those countries and build up a COM
merce with them.
1t is Secretary Roots idea to utilize
the coming conference as far as may be
to do away with the distrustful and
jealous attitude and to establish a
broader view of ourselves in the minds
Of those people, and, with proper con-
duct on our own part, to make the good
work that has been done in the past
bear fruit. All these questions were
agitated long ago. but now seems to be
the opportune time for a renewed eff
fort
Everything moves slowly. Secretary
Root, as head OF the War Department
and as head Of the State Department,
has been successful in bringing about
two important matters of legislation;
one was the reorganization of the
army and the other the consular law
Both of these were agitated for years,
but the country had just reached
point where ii was willing to adopt
them. He believes that the time has
now arrived for the ideas of Blaine and
others. which have been agitated and
talked about for years, to be made eff
fective. The time has come when
American capital is seeking outside in
vestment and South America is most
inviting field.
The Secretary believes that South
America is steadily advancing that the
countries are making great progress
now. Stable government is the first
requisite in any country, and many of
the South American republics have
now passed the revolutionary stage
and have governments that will pro-
tect life and property. No material
development is possible until such
governments are established Thus ii
appears that Brazil, Argentina, Chile
Peru and Bolivia, with governments
that are substantial, are in positions
Of power and invite capital and enter
prise. So much cannot be said of
Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia, and
these countries invite only the adven-
turers and fomenters of strife and
trouble.
Mexico is an example of what stabil-
ity will accomplish. Railroads have
been constructed and the vast wealth
Of her mines and the agricultural and
timber regions have been developed.
There are fifteen thousand Americans
in Mexico now and more are going
there. others will go to South America
when better relations are established.
CALL FOR THE HAGUE.
One of the most Important matters
which the conference will consider is
resolution recommending that the sec
ond peace conference at The Hague be
requested TO consider the extent to
which, If at all, the use of force for
the collection of public debts is ad-
missible. Whether or not the confer
ence adopts such a resolution the
American delegates to The Hague con-
ference will be instructed by Secretary
Root to take pronounced position
that ordinary public debts shall not be
collected by force.
He believes that a movement in that
direction will tend toward narrowing
Secretary Of State understands that a
declaration by the South American
countries in favor of a policy against
the use of force will be the same as
debtors passing upon the subject of
debts, because these countries are
debtor nations and owe large amounts
in EurOnA. At the same time he be-