Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-13
'kN0XL|EA|.vES' !.
ON A MISSION
OF Dir PL0.N||||.AICY | ! D !

= = ~ 4 "
bean Countries; May Visit
Mexico While Gone.
Washington, D. C, Feb. 12.--Secre-
tary Knox made final preparations to-
day for. the conduct OF the state de-
partment by his assistants during his
absence the next six weeks, visiting
countries bordering on the Caribbean
sea. Mr.. Knox had his last conference
with President Taft last night and to-
day will leave for Palm Beach, Fla.
with his wife and Mr.. and Mrs. Hugh
Knox. He will embark probably Feb.
81 on the cruiser Washington for the
Central American republics
H Whether Mexico and Colombia VIII
be included in the itinerary on the trip
had not been decided early today.
No official announcements were pre-
pared Informing Central American
countries that the secretary cOntem-
plated visiting them but the diplomatic
representatives here have cabled to
their home Offices the substance OF
President Taft's announcement made
Saturday. It is considered possible,
therefore that before final plans are
completed by Mr.. Knox while In Fro
rida he may receive special invita-.
tion to 60 to Mexico.
Worldwide Significance attaches to
the visit soon to be made by Secretary
Knox at the direction of President
Taft to the countries bordering on the
Caribbean sea.
European diplomats, recalling re-
cent speech of Mr.. Knox before the
New York State Bar association on
the Monroe doctrine, look upon the
proposed trip with more than pas.
sive interest. That speech now Is be-
Ing interpreted as the latest notice
given by the United States that the
principle of America for Americans
must be observed. 4. III J.
Aliay Doubt on Attitude. #
Central American diplomats were
unanimous in their statements last
night that the secretaty's VISIT not
only would allay Internal tional doubt
81 to the Atti itude OF the United States
governY At toward these Countries.
but wo IA ward off possible encroach-
mentg IN nations in the other hemis-
phers
TIL present state of unrest in many
atin-American countries, the efforts
Of the state department to maintain
neutrality as between the republics OF
the south and his endeavors to un-
iavel their financial tangles have pro-
ceeded, It is said, not without the po-
tential influences Of world powers.
Particular attention was drawn by
a number OF diplomats, discussing the
wide circulation now being given to.
Secretary Nnox's speech to those por-
tions in which he advocated the imme-
diate adoption of the loan conventions
with Nicaragua and Honduras, now
pending in the United States senate.
It was pointed out that Mr.. Knox had
urged their passage because of the
lever increasing political reason OF
avoiding the danger of European en-
tanglement in the affairs OF the
countries surrounding the Caribbean"
Interested In Zone.
Another paragraph that elected re
newed comment today was that II
which he said:
.'The logic OF political geography
and cf strategy and now our tre-
mendous national interest created by
the Panama canal, make the safety,
the peace and the prosperity of Cen.
trail America and the zone of the
Caribbean of paramount interest to the
United States. Thus the malady of
revolution and financial collapse is
most acute precisely in the region
where 1t is most dangerous to us. 1t
would not be sane to uphold a great
policy like the Monroe doctrine and
.lepudiate its necessary corrolaries and
neglect the measures which reason die
tates as safeguards
1T was pointed out today that
the adopted policy of the United
States to bolster UP those countries
In trouble on this hemisphere had in
4 measure been a consequence of pres
sure from European countries. To pre-.
vent interference in countries where
European financial interests have snf-
fered losses through the volatile, and
incompetent administration of Central
American politics, the United States
has taken decided stand, though not
without meeting the apprehens;ve!
scrutiny OF political parties in some of
the republics.
It Is understood that aside from the
moral effect Secretary Knox 8 visit
may have in removing suspicious of
American territorial aggrandisement.
the heads of various Central American
countries will receive q personal ex-
planation of the hopes of the United
States with reference to the Panama
canal.
Opinion was general among the
Central American diplomats that
President Taft had chosen an oppor-
tune moment to send Secretary Knox
to the Caribbean.
Diplomatic Reception in Berlin.
Berlin, Feb. IA rece tion was
held at the American emF ssy today
by Ambassador Leischman and Mrs.
Leischman on the occasion Of Lin
coins birthday. Members of the
American colony as well as German
officials attended and paid their.
respects o Ass., new ambassador.