The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-12
WORLD WATCHING
SECREIARY'S TRIP
Visit to Central Amer
lea Assumes Vast
Importance.
DIPLOMATS THINK
TIME OPPORTUNE
Doubt of Sister Republic as to
This Country's Intentions Will
Be Allayed and Possible En-
croachments Of Nations on
Other Hemisphere
Warded Off.

Washington. February l1.-world-
wide Significance attaches to the visit
soon to be made by Secretary of state
. Knox, at the direction OF President
Taft, to the countries on the Carib-
bean Sea.
European diplomats. recalling a re-
cent speech oil Mr.. Knox before tina
New York State Bar Association on
| the Monroe Doctrine, look upon tns
proposed trip with more than a pas
sive interest. That speech now lis
being interpreted the latest notice
given by the United States that the
principle of America FOR Americans
must be observed.
Central American diplomats were
unanimous in their statements tonight
that the secretarys visit not only
would allay Internal onal doubt as 20
the attitude Of the United States gov
eminent toward their countries, but
would ward off possible encroachments
OF nations in the other hemisphere.
The present state of unrest in many
Latin american countries, the efforts
or the State Department to maintain
neutrality a 5 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 the world powers.
Particular attention was drawn by
number of diplomats, discussing the
wide circulation now being given to
Secretary knoXs speech, to those por-
lions in which he advocated the i'm
mcdiat adoption of tho loan couven-
tons with Nicaragua, which are now
pending in the Senate. II was pointed
out that Ar. Knox had urged their
passage because of 1.-The ever increas-
Ing political reason OF avoiding the
danger of European ENHANCEMENT in
the affairs of their countries surround
ing the Caribbean"
or Paramount Interest.
Another paragraph that elected re-
| newed comment to-day was that in
which he said:
The logic of topography and o.
| strategy, and now our IRENE ndous
national interest. increased by the PAN
ANA Canal. make the safety, the peace
and the prosperity of Central America
| and the zone OF the Caribbean OF
paramount, rnrcrest to the United
States. Thus, the malady OF revolu-
| lions and financial collapse is most
acute precisely in the region where II
! is most dangerous 10 us. T. would not
ae sane to uphold a great policy like
the Monroe Doctrine and to repudiate
its necessary collarics d neglect
the sensible measures which reason
dictates as safeguards"
1t was argued to-day ;hat an adopt
ed policy OF the United States to
bolster up those countries in trouble
on this misphere had in 4 measure
been n consequence OF pressure from
European countries To prevent inter-
! ference in countries where European
! financial interests have suffered losses
| through the volatile and incompetent
| administrations OF Central American
| politicians. the United states has taken
n decided stand. though not without
meeting the apprehcnsive scrutiny OF
! political parties in some o: the re-
, publlcs.
| II Is understood that aside from the
moral effect that Secretary knoN's visit
may have In removing suspicion OF
| American territorial aggrandizement
| the heads OF various Central American
| countries will receive a personal cX
| PLANTATION of the hop=s of the Gn!tc1
States with reference TO the Panama
! Canal.
| Opinion was general among The Cen
! trail American diplomats that President
Taft had chosen an opportune moment
, to send Seer ,;ary Knox to the Garth
, bean. 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 i gr Eat
! stimulus through the opening OF the
Panama Canal"
! Senior Caivo, minister from Cost,
Rica. but speaking also on behalf OF
+, Salvador. whose minister is absent
! declared that the visit of Secretary
Knox would h.lp TO continue good
/ relationship"
Unvilln Deeply Impressed.
Dir. Tausto Davilla. minister from
| Honduras, was so impressed with the
| announcement of Secretary knox's tri3
| that he will make n special trip to his
! country to be there WHEN Mr. Knox
! arrives
| DR.. Salvador Castrillo, minister from
! Nicaragua, predicted that the political
F., parties who had misreprcaented the
, .;titude Of the United states as a4eran-
| dizinr and ambitious terr!torially
| would earn from Secretary Knox tina;
! the United States harborch no such
intentions.
| who represented his country in Mexico
when Secretary of state Root visited
Z th.re. declared:
! IT believe and hope that Secretary
Knox's trip Will be as beneficial in tho
relations OF Cuba and the United States
as was Mr.. Roots trip in South Amer
lea
Senior Rojas. the minister from Ven
ezuela. began Immediate communication
] Win tUe W us SSN''t't - III y
/ pairing for Mr. Knox's reception. Tho
republic OF Haiti. the Dominican Re-
! public and Panama expressed grat!tlca-
.'e- 80 did likewise.
Mr.. Knox, II vas announced to-day
| wlIl leave here tomorrow night for
Palm Beach Fla. where lie viii re-.
main for a week. while the cruiser
| Wa shingtun is preparing 10 receive him.
About Wednesday Fcnruary II hs
,lans IN lenvc and Uroba blv viii sal
direct to Colon, Panama.
| = Aftnr visiting tho cnnnl lie W LII Nnl-