Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-02-15
Worldwide Significance Attach.
ed to the Diplomatic Mission
Of Secretary Of State.
POWERS FoMENYIuG TROUBLE
Speeches Interpreted by European
That Principle of America
for Americans Must Be
Observed.

Washington, Feb. 11-World- wide signi-
ficance attaches to the visit soon to be
made by Secretary Knox, at the direction
Of President Taft. to the countries border
ing on the Caribbean sea
European diplomats, recalling a recent
speech of Mr.. Knox before the New York
State Bar association on the Monroe
doctrine, look upon the proposed trip
with more than a passive interest. That
speech now Is being interpreted as the
latest notice given by the United States
that the principle of America for Ameri-
cans must be observed.
Central American diplomats were
unanimous In :heir statements tonight
that the secremry's visit not only would
allay internal doubt as to the attitude Of
the United States government toward
their countr' s but would ward off possible
encroachmsnts Of nations in the other
hemisphere
The present state Of unrest In many
Latin-Arercan countries. the efforts CT
the safe department to maintain
noutrsity as between the republics of the
south and its endeavors to unravel their
dnancal tangles have proceeded. it is
said, not without the potential in
fiuen.es of world powers.
PARTICULAR attention was drawn by
number of diplomats, discussing the
vie circulation now being given to
S<retary Knoxs speech, to those por-
ions in which he advocated the imme-
I Iiate adoption of the loan conventions
with Nicarag qua and Honduras. now
ending in the United States Senate 1t
was pointed out that Mr.. Knox had urg-
ed their passage because Of 1.-The ever
Increasing political reason of avoiding
he danger of European ENHANCEMENT in
the affairs of the countries surrounding
he Caribbean.
MALADY ACUTE NEAR CANAL
Another paragraph that ELECTED re-
aewed comment to-day was that in
which he said: 1.-THE logic of political
geography and Of strategy and now our
tremendous national interest created by
The Panama canal make the safety, the
peace and the prosperity of Central
America and the zone of the Caribbean
IF paramount interes; to the United
states. Thus. the malady OF revolutions
and financial collapse is most acute pre-
cisey in the region whore 1t is most
dangerous to us. 1t would not be sane
roe doctrine and to repudiate its neces-
sary corrollaries and neglect the sensible
measures which reason dictates az safe
guards"
1t was pointed out to-day that the
adopted policy of the United States, to
bolster up these countries on this henis-
phere, had in a measure been conse-
auent of pressure from European coun-
fvor iu1 - Ia
have suffered losses through the volatile
and incompetent administration OF Cen
trail American politicians. the United
States has taken a decided stand though
not without meeting the apprehens've
scrutiny Of political parties in some OF
the republics.
1t is understood that aside from tho
moral effect that Secretary knox's visit
may have in removing Suspicious OF
American territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT. the
heads Of various Central American coun-
tries will receive a personal explanation
Of the hopes of the United States with ref
erence to the Panama canal.
CHOOSES OPPORTUNE MOMENT.
Opinion was general among the Central
American diplomats that President Tar
had chosen an opportune moment 10 seho
Secretary Knox to the Caribbean.
Mr.. Knox, it Is announced, VIII leave
here tomorrow night for Palm Beach
Fla, where he will remain for week
while the cruiser Washington is pre-
par,ng to receive him. About Wednes'
day. February 81, he plans to leave
and probably will sail direct to Colon
Panama After visiting the canal hi
will embark from the Pacific coast Of
Panama on the cruiser Maryland, pro
ceeding up the west coast Of Contra
America because many of the capital.
of those countries are more accessible
from the Pacific side. Crossing Guate'
mala by rail, he will be met again by
the cruiser Washington at Porto Bar
rios and will sail for Caracas. Vene
Euela. thence to Porto Rico, SantO Do
mlngo, Hayti and Cuba.