Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-04

JOHN bAfSAEIIs
Photo by Harris Ewing.
PHILADELPHIA, July 4.-"Today the
greatest foreign problems and RESPONSE
bilities of the United States government
are in the twenty Latin-American repub-
lies lying to the south of u.s." declared
John Barrett. director Of the Interna-
tional Bureau Of American Republics. in
addressing a notable gathering in indie
pendence Hall In this city today.
''Seventy-five per cent of the time and
energy Of the State Department is con-
sumed In the consideration Of its Latin
American problems" he added. 1T Is.
therefore, not true. as occasionally inti-
mated. that the United States as a gov
ernp1ent is neglectful or unappreciative
OF its sister American governments"
Mr.. Barrett secuted the idea that
Latin America, taken a. a whole, was q
land of revolutions.
Despite the fact that the center of the
stage has been occupied for a considerable
period by one country In Central Amer
lea. two-thirds Of the entire area and
population of Latin America have known
no civil war worthy of the name of revo-
luton during the last decade and half,
and today four of the Ave Central Amer
lean countries are peaceful and entering
upon a new era of prosperity and prog
ress." he said.
Prosperity After Peace.
present strife in Nicaragua is once con-
cluded-and 1 believe that much-desired
day is not far distant-there will follow
a period of material development in that
resourceful. though disturbed. country
which will crafty its numerous we'll
wishers.
THE sentiment also in favor Of the for
nation of one strong Central American
Honduras, Nicaragua ana Costa Rica, is
growing. and, though its evolution may
be slow. it is sure to come In the logic Of
events
Giving Secretary Knox much credit for
the negotiations which resulted in avert
ing costly war between Peru and Ecua-
dor. Mr. Barrett. expressed the belief
chat that action had established . prec-
edent throughout the world for the con-
cert Of nations in the cause Of intsrna-
tional peace. go
The attention that had been given to
Latin America, he said, had been jus
titled by the commercial Development
which had taken place as the result Of
diplomatic and other efforts.
The latest returns of commerce show
the remarkable fact that Latin America
bought and sold in trade last year with
the rest of the world products valued at
the vast total Of 81. II, 000.0W. Ten years
ago the corresponding commerce was
words. these twenty ambitious sister
countries, which our people and press
have a tendency to overlook in their
flirtations with Europe and Asia, in
creased their foreign commerce 81, 200, :
100000. or 12o per cent. in the very short
n =
group of countries can show q similar
percentage Of growth
Holding Our Own.
LAS a corollary to this proposition II
can be stated that the commerce Of the
United States with Latin America is not
small. and it Is not being driven from
the field by European competition, ar
often described by superficial observers
While the trade of the United States
with these sister republics could. and
would. be larger II our exporters and i'm
porters in general devoted the same at
tention to 1t as they do to Canada, Eu-
rope and Asia. it is gratifying and sig
niricant that the exchange OF trade be-
tween the United States and the twenty
self, or increased 100 per cent, in the
short period of the last ten years, and
now amounts to the annual and notable
total of $6OO.OOUOOU. This Is larger than
the sum total of commerce which any
European country, not even excepting
Great Britain or Germany, conducts with
Latin America"
Mr.. Barrett claimed for the State De.
partment and the Bureau Of American
Republics the chief credit for this great
expansion of trade.
The address also contained q pleasant
reference to President Diax and his ad-
ministration of the affairs of Mexico, Mr..
Barrett deprecating as unfortunate much
Of the criticism that has been aimed at
Diaz and Mexico.