The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-01-15
Would Guard Interests
as Was Done
With Cuba.
Address Before Dele
gateSOf Foreign Com
merCe Convention.

In "A notable speech before tho
National Convention for the Exten-
sion of Foreign Commerce, Secre-
tary of State Elihu Root declared
for maximum and minimum tariff
system. for ship subsidy 10 improve
our trade in South America, for an
improved consular service based on
a theory promotion now existing in
the army and navy. and expounding
the doctrine Of the Administration
with reference 10 the Latin-Ameri-
can countries. For over an hour
he discussed the foreign trade and
foreign relations of the United
States. With reference TO the
Latin-American countries, he said:
Policy Toward Smaller Countries.
What shall be our policy toward the
smaller countries between our ports and
the Panama canal. those countries in
the Caribbean and in the West Indiesg
Some Of them have had a hard time.
and their lives have been such as 10
make difficult the maintenance OF order
~ government. They have been cursed
B.. frequent revolutions. Poor Cuba has
suffered. We have done our best 10 help
her. and We mean 10 keep on doing our
best I think the key TO our attitude
10 ward these countries can be put in
three sentences:
"Rirst. We don't want TO take them
for ourselves.
Second. We don't want any foreign
nation 70 take them
Third. We want 20 help them
Now We can help them to acquire
the capacity for self-goVesnment- Hep
them along the road that Brazil Ar
gentIne. Chile, and Peru have rtaVelel.
up ana out of the discOrd OF constant
revolutions into general public sense
OF the determination TO maintain order
A good deal OF talk mas been heard OF
the annexation OF Cuba. Annexation
must never be so long as the people Of
Cuga don't give up the effort 70 govern
themselves"
Sympathy for Island.
Turning his attention TO ssnto Do.
mingo. Dir. Root said:
such should be our policy with
Santo Domingo. Poor Santo Domingo.
with her phenomenal richness Of soil.
should be among the richest on earth,
but her island has been the scene OF
continual bloodshed through politics
purely personal. the politics OF the man
seeking only for individual ascendency-
and power. Burdened with a tremendous
mass or debt. much OF il created bg
governments ir the bush. much OF it
by governments in distress ready 10
make any bargain and pay any interest
Tor ready money.
Her custom houses have been pledged
10 foreign debtors. depriving her credit.
courage. and hope. She came TO LIS 10
help US, and We are trying 10 arrange
Tor that little moral help necessary 10
insure her settlement with her cred
itors. II this may he given. she may
be able to stand and walk alone We
are trying TO make an arrangement of
that Office OF duty and good neighb0r-
h0Od toward SaDtO Domingo
In reference TO the Cuban and
DOMINICAN propositions, Mr.. Root
made declaration OF policy which
caused great interest, He said:
NE must create an interest on the
part Of the people I'm SantO Domingo,
for our treatment OF SantO Domingo
the vast policy which shall determine
the relations OF this great country.
with its millions Of treasure. toward
the millions or men and women in the
Countries o. the South. II is but part
ef the working out OF The policy Of
peace and righteousness as tho basis
OF wealth ana prosperity in place Of
the pOliay Of power. force, conquest,
and plunder as the means OF acquiring
wealth"
Relations Improve.
Mr. Root said that American relations
all the tine were growing more reasons
able, sensible and kindly with the na-
tons OF Europe, with Canada. and with
the nations facing America on the other
side OF the Pacific. Little occasional
controversy incidental conflicts of in
teEests are continually arising, such as
people are accustomed TO between
neishbors, but he asserted that the gen
eral trend of ali international relations
was toward mutual respect. mutual ad-
and substantial understanding.
He expressed it as his opinion that I'M
spite OF discussion Of American relations
with Europe and the Orient. thar the
subject which should at present mosr
attract American attention is commerce
with the Central and South American
countries.
After referring to his last summers
tour around the Horn Mr.. Root said.
1t Is remarkable that just al the time
when this country has so increased its
tremendous resources of wealth as 10
be able 10 turn aside from the internal
development and reach 0uf for foreign
fields OF enterprise and Investment. lust
AT this time South American govern
ments are CROWNS out Of the disturbed
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