The Washington herald., 1908-05-12
peace and pan.AmericanisIn.

The laying of the cornerstone of what
Mr. Carnegie calls an American Tenn
pie Of Peace symbolizes the continuing
development of international unity on the
American continents. Mr. Root prefers
that il be known as the home of the
American peoples temple dedicated 20
international friendship" where men OF
different countries and races may become
acquainted with each other and coop
crate for mutual advantage. Twenty-one
independent nations will find a permanent
abiding place there, a common ground of
assembly where may be cultivated, 10
use President ROOseyelt's phrase. the
kindly bonds of mutual justice, good will,
and sympathetie comprehension Any
Interpretation of yesterdays event would
fan short OF the truth if it ignored the
bearing Of Pan-Americanism on the cause
of peace. It has rescued two great conu-
nents from the rayages Of fratricidal
conflict and contributed to the stability
of governments. while preserving them
from the heavy financial drain Of arma-
ments.
Our Southern neighbOrs owe much to
the United States in this regard, Not
only have they been freed from fear OF
foreign aggression. but they have en-
joyed independence without interference
from their protector The Monroe doc
trine contemplated the noninterference
of the United States as we'll as of foreign
powers with the struggling nations Of
the New World. We have adhered to
that policy with reasonable strictness,
and no one of the twenty republics in the
international union has the smallest ap-
prehension Of the growing naval and
military power OF this country. Il Is a
situation contrasting strongly with the
balance of power in Europe, where the
building Of a single battle ship or the
acquisition of a single square mile OF
territory by one nation Is viewed with
jealous concern by all the others. That
no such Jealousy is felt in this hemi-
sphere is due IN part TO the existence OF
a bureau devoted 10 the cultivation OF
mutual interests, but more especially "a
the studied policy OF ouf State Depart
ment in maintaining cordial relations with
all American countries. No Secretary Of
State has contributed more 10 the sue
cess of this policy than Mr.. Root, whose
journey TO South America was so compli-
mentarily referred to by the President
Il was praise we'll deserved.
We are coming to a better understand
ing of those growing nations TO the
south Of us. as they have come to a bet
ter understanding of our purpose and our
policy Mr. RooseYelts prediction that
no other portion OF the world viii see
a greater development in wealth. popUla-
ton. and all that makes for progress
that the region extending from the Rio
Grande to Patagonia is not an idle one.
II has been hampered in the past by con-
ditions that are fast disappearing-polit
ical instability is giving way to strength
and permanence in government; great
cities are spyinging up; vast railroad en-
terprises are linking hitherto inacces-
sible territories with the outside world
and with each other; agriculture, manu-
features, and all the arts of civilization
flourish. and wealth and culture abound.
\ happy region. unbUrdened with armies
and navies, and endowed by nature with
immense resources-may it be worthy OF
the great future before it!