Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-05-02
SECRETARY KNOX
 TALKS OF CANAL
LATIN-tMERICAN TOtlRO ONLY IN- CREASES DETERMINA ATlON TO FIGHT FOR AID OF CENTRAL /
 AMERICA.
Principal Speaker At Centenary CeIe- bration of State of Louisiana
 At New Orleans.

New Orleans, May 1.-Evidence that Secretary KnoX's Latin-American tour has only increased his determination to fight for approval of his policy of financial aid for bankrupt Central American countries, was given by MT. Knox today in his first speech since returning to the United States.
 With the opening of the Panama canal" declared MT. Knox, 'the people of this country should strive to es- tablish peace, permanent government the canal.''
 Most particularly he appealed for the support of his policy to the peo- pie mot only of Louisiana, but of the whole Mississippi Valley and Southern States" as they would be the largest direct gathers commercially from the development of the Central American countries.
 Secretary Knox spoke at the Gen. tenary Celebration of the State of Louisiana. He based his appeal upon the assertion that Trade cannot flour ish unless governments are stable and conditions peaceful
 "How important it is,'' continued MT. Knox, 'that we should, especially with respect to countries in geograph- l o fn ditions of turbulance and instability by giving them all proper assistance in the promotion of peace, in the de- velopment of their resources, and in the sound regeneration of their fiscal systems. This has lately been the effort of the Federal Government with respect to Honduras and Nicaragua. By reason of long years of govern mental administration, and inter- nal disturbances, these countries found themselves, with depleted treas uries and burdened with debts and claims which they were unable to meet without outside aid Their plight, directly or indirectly, obstructs the development of the rest of Central America.
 Not only Louisiana but every State bordering on the Gulf of Mexico is interested in the peaceful develop ment of Central America. It is es- timated that ill 1909 the total trade of the United States with Central Am- erica and Panama exceeded fOrty-tWO millions of dollars, of which, approxi- mately, twenty-five per cent was handled through the Gulf ports-New Orleans alone having nine millions of dollars worth of this trade. Stop and consider that since the United States extended helping hand to the De- minion Republic the total trade of l that country has more than trebled, and you will have some idea of what benefit would result to the Southern States, should the Nicaraguan and Honduras treaties be consummated.
 "To no part of our country is the development of our commerce in the Caribbean region of more importance than to the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans, and to no part is it of more interest that in that region conditions for the promotion of trade should exist? Such conditions cannot exist in circumstances such as control in Honduras and Nicaragua, with their baneful indirect effect upon the rest of Central Am erica. Therefore, as useful instrum- entalities for commercial expansion, if for no other reason, the treaties with Nicaragua and Honduras now before the Senate should have the sympathy and support not only or Louisiana but of the whole Mississippi Valley and Southern States.
 "The opening of the Panama Can al," declared Mir. Knox, twill make New Orleans the logical port of ex- port to the Orient for all the prod ucts of the Mississippi Valley, which region is today the greatest single producer of products entering inter- national commerce.
 By the breaking down of the bar riers which have separated the Allan tic from the Pacific, the Mississippi Valley, through New Orleans, will have direct route by water to all of the west coast of South America."