The sun., 1909-12-09

wAsHN0roN, Dec. 8--From the point
Of view OF number OF careful and compe-
tent observers and students the present
policy Of the Administrator with refer
enoe 10 our neighbor republics unwisely
disrcgards an important II not tho most
important factor In the whole Hituatior. tho
fraternity or sodslity OF Latin America.
The twenty republics which In their aRkre-
gate constitute what is known as Latin
America arc in eject definite and dis
freQucptly are iealousies and quarrels
among and between its component parts,
but not one OF those parts can be touched
by an outside hand without immediate
influence on all other parts. The polit-
ical. social and commercial relations Of
Argentina and Guatemala are little II any
closer than the relations OF thoss coun-
tries with Siam or Bulgaria. but II the
United States should attempt tho political
absorption Of Gustsmala there would be
q political ferment Of considerable proper
tious In Buenos Ayres
Latin America collectively, and practi-
oally all Latin Americans individually,
dcplore the existence Of such rulers as
Castro and Zelaya. They are regarded
a. political ulcers on a body striving
for healthful conditions, a. undesira bic
survivors Of an earlier period OF misrssle
from which Latin America m o whols ID
now rapidly emancpating itsslf. On the
pages Of the history Of the last fifty years
the economic development Of tho United
States stands In striking prominence, yet
TO the careful studentit Il Ia perhaps not more
striking than 10 the political and economic
advancement OF Latin America. Gladly
rs these people would see the end OF Cas-
tros and Zelayas, doubt and suspicion are
indicative OF Q purpose on tho part OF the
United States to remove the ulcers with
an axe.
Our policy toward our nsighbors has
varied with our successive AdTuinistra-
tions, from kindly to severe, at times
calculated to allay their fears OF inter
ference in their affairs. and at other times
70 excite their doubt and suspicion OF our
purposes The extension of our boun-
daries at various times during the last
hundred years has implanted In the Latin
American mind suspicion. q belief, and
In many cases a conviction. that territorial
expansion 10 national policy to-day and
will be a national policy in the future
They dread and fear the encroachment OF
q nation that stands tv many Of them as
the giant Of the north, creature greedy
for more land, for larger dominion In
all the history OF our relations with these
people no other experiences or word has
80 strongly tended 10 allay suspicion, to
weaken conviction, as the address OF Mr..
Root. as Secretary Of State, delivered at
the conference Of American republics in
Rio Janeiro on July u. 1893. We wish, .
he said. for no territory except our own,
for no sovereignty except the sovereignty
over ourselves. We deem the indepen-
denoe and equal rights OF the smallest
and weakest member OF the family OF
nations entitled 60 as much respect as
those Of the greatest empire. and we deem
the observance OF that respect the chief
guarantee Of the weak against the oppres-
sion Of the strong"
That sentiment is AZ strong In the Amer
lean mind to-day as IL was when II was
uttered, but because OF recent develop
ments many a man in Latin America has
turned to the pages ON which that notable
address is printed, and ON the margin
thereof has inscribed a large interroga ton
mark.