Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-01
KNOX EXPLAINS HIS MISSION
Address at Panama Intended to Give
Reasons for Trip.
SEEKS CLOSER INTERCOURSE
to Bring the American Repuh-
lies Nearer Together IN
All Things.

| LANAMA. Feb. Secretary of state
I p. c. Knox made In Panama today the
first Of his public addresses on his trip
Ito the capitals of Central America.
northern South America and the West
Indies.
This speech, while delivered before the
acting president sot Panama. Senior
Rodolfo Chiarl was in reality addressed
| to all The countries he viii visit and In
eluded an explanation of the attitude Of
the United States towards South and
Central America. Mr.. Knox said the
president believed the early completion OF
the canal should mark the beginning Of
closer relations between the United
States and all Latin America: that the
purpose Of the United States towards all
the American republics was to live In
amity and essential harmony; and that
the United States desires more peace,
more security in their national lives. He
declared the United States craved neither
sovereignty nor territory in Latin
America
Purpose Of the Visit.
MFR. Knox's address I'm part follows:
The president of the United States
believes that the early completion Of the
Panama canal should mark the beginning
Of closer relations to all Latin-America,
and especially to the Caribbean littoral.
as we'll as the relations o. these eaun-
tries 10 each other, and impelled by the
thought that this is an suspicious mo-
ment through better acquaintance to lay
the foundations upon which there should
rest a broader confidence. closer SYM
pathy and more practical reciprocal help
fulness. has sent me hlther as a bearer
Of a message Of good viii to our sister
American republics.
I'VE who live on the western hemis.
phere find ourselves by force of geogra-
ply In circumstances which make our
situation peculiar and this fundamental
fact gives us privileges and imposes upon
us obligations we would not otherwise
have II was perception Of this. which
your own thinkers and statesmen have
seen as clearly as our own, which
prompted the announcement by President
Monroe OF the great and beneficent policy
that now bears his name. When the
canal is opened and tho ships of all
countries Of the world come sailing
through these Caribbean seas, the Pc
euliar1ty OF our position and special re.
quirement will be accentuated and the
wisdom Of that doctrine be confirmed
again. Even now 1t is a great bond be-
tween as. In its future application !
perceive II will be q common heritage
binding together the nations OF this hem
isphere with a force no power can break,
and while II has in providence been given
TO us In the north to state and interpret,
II has never been invoked TO the detri-
ment OF the people OF tho south or oper-
ated to their hurt.
Destiny of Monroe Doctrine.
In my judgment the Monroe doctrine
win reach the acme OF its beneficence
when It is regarded by the people of the
United States as a reason why we should
constantly respond TO the needs OF those
OF our Latin American neighbors who
may find NECESSITY for our assistance In
their progress toward better government,
or who may seek our aid to meet their
lust obligations and thereby to maintain
honorable relations TO the family OF ma
lions. , We. -.. -a
cit Is a paradox that severance OF the |
physical ligRment that Joins the two con-
tinents Of the New World will more |
closely unite them Culebra Is the old |
eliot In the artery Of intercourse whose
viii give free and full circula-
ton throughout the whole organism TO
the yivifying currents OF friendship,
peace, commerce and prosperity"