New-York tribune., 1912-02-12
KNOX'S TRIP WILL WARN
EUROPE TO KEEP OFF
Secretary's Visit to Caribbean
Countries Notice That Monroe
Doctrine Still Lives.
DIPLOMATS PRAISE MISSION

DiPlUMA ) FhAlSE Wioo'o"
Central American Representa-
tives See Advantage in Move
Policy of U. S. Dictated
by Pressure.
Washington, Feb. u.-World-wide sisHi.i'
canoe attaches to the visit soon to be naue
by Secretary Knox, at the direction VI
President Taft. to the countries porue'ihs
on the Caribbean Sea. European dlpio-
mats. recalling a recent speech OF Mr. hnoN
before the New York State Bar Associa-
ton on the Monroe Doctrine, look upon ti'e
proposed trip with more than passive III
terest. That speech now is being inter-
preted as the latest notice given by the
United States that the principle OF America
for Americans must be observed.
Central American diplomats were unani-
nous IN their statements tonight that the
Secretary's visit not only would allay inter-
na, doubt as to the attitude OF the Chileo
States government toward their countries
but would ward off possible encroachmehts
of nations in the other hemisphere
The present state Of unrest In many
Latin American countries, the efforts OF
the State Department to maintain neu-
trality as between the republics OF the
south and its endeavors to unravel their
financial tangles have proceeded, II Is SAID,
not without the potential influences OF
world powers.
Particular attention was drawn by
number Of diplomats discussing the "loe
circulation now being given to secretary
KnoX's speech, TO those portions IN "hich
he advocated the immediate adoption oil
the loan conventions with Nicaragua ana
Honduras, now pending In the United
States Senate. II was pointed out that Mr
Knox had urged their passage because OF
the ever-increasing political reason OF
avoiding the danger of European entansle-
ment in the affairs Of the countries sur
rounding the Caribbean"
Must Not Neglect Safeguards.
Another paragraph that elected renewed
comment to-day was that in which he said :
The logic of political see eegrapny and Of
strateGy, and now our tIemehoq,s na
Canal. make the safety. the Ieace ana the
prosperity of Central America ana the zone
of the Caribbean Of paramount interest 10
the United States. Thus, the malady OF
revolutions ard financial cClapse Is mos
acute precisely in the region where II j.
most dangerous 10 rs II Would no ue
sane 10 uphold great policy IKE ne
Monroe Doetrine and to repudiate It's
necessary cUrollaries and neglect the SEN
siblc measures which reason dictates "a
safe guards.
1t was pointed out to-day that the adopt
cd policy OF the United States-to bolster
IN those countries in trouble on this hem
ispherc-had I'm a measure been a conse-
quence of pressure from European coun-
tries To prevent interference in countries
where European financial interests have
suffered losses through the volatile and in
competent mlnistrations OF Central Amer
Jean politicians. the United States has TAX
IN a decided stand though not without
meeting in the apprehensive scrutiny OF po-
litical parties in some OF the republics.
viii Explain Hopes for Canal.
1t is understood that. aside from the
moral effect that Secretary Knox's visit
may have in removing suspicious Of Amer
ican territorial agGrandzement the heads
Of various Central American countries
will receive a personal explanation OF the
to the Panama Canal
Opinion was general among the Central
American diplomats that President Taft
had chosen an opportune moment 20 send
Secretary Knox to the Caribbean.
DR. Joaquin Mendez. Minister from
Guatemala said: Il believe the visit will
be fruitful Of results in those countries
which within a short time will receive a
great stimulus through the opening OF the
Panama Canal"
Senior Calvo Minister from Costa Rlca
but speaking also on behalf OF Salvador
whose minister is absent. declared that the
visit OF Secretary Knox would help TO con-
tinue that good relationship"
DR.. Fausto Davilla, Minister from Hon
duras, was so Impressed with the announce.
ment OF Secretary Knox's trip that he will
make a special trip to his country TO be
there when Mr.. Knox arrives.
Dr. Salvador Castrllo, Minister from Mic
aragua, predicted that the political parties
which had misrepresented the attitude Of
the United States as aggrandzing and am
bilious tcrrltorially would learn from Sec
retary Knox that the United States har-
bored no such intention.
Says Trip Will Help Cuba.
Sohor Rivero, the Cuban Minister who
represented his country in Mexico when
Secretary Of state Root visited there, de-
cIared Il believe and hope that Secretary
Knox's trip will be as beneficial in the rela-
lions of Cuba and the United States as
WIS Mr.. Roots trip In South America"
Senior Rojas. the Minister from Venezuela,
began immediate communication with the
President of his country, preparing for Mr..
Knoxs reception. The representatives of
IIayti, Dominican Republic and Panama
expressed qualification and did likewise.
Mr.. Knox, It was announced to-day, will
leave here tomorrow night for Palm
Beach, Fla. where he will remain for a
week while the cruiser Washington is pre-
pairing to receive him. About Wednesday.
February 21, he plans to leave. and prob
ably will sail direct TO Colon, Panama
After visiting the canal he will embark
from the Pacific coast OF Panama. on the
cruiser Maryland. proceeding up the west
coast Of Centra! America. because many OF
the capitals O: those countries are more
accessible from the Pacific side. Crossing
Guatemala by rail he will be met again
by the cruiser Washington at Porto Bar
rios and will sail for Caracas, Venezuela
oad tbapna 20 porfo Rico Santo Donninpo