Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-13
WILSON STATES
AMERICAN POLICY
PRESIDENT IN STATEMENT READ
TO CABINET ANNOUNCED
HIS POSITION. -.
COURTS FRIENDSHIP.
Relations Between United States and
Other American Republics Is
Urged to be One Of Harmony
and Cooperation.

Washington, March 12.-Presiden,
Wilson issued formal statement of his
policy toward the Central and South
American republics.
I'm view of questions which are
naturally upbermost in the public mino
lust now. the president issued the 1ol
lowing statement:
zone of the chief aims of my adj
ADMINISTRATION will be to cultlVate tne
Friendship and deserve the conf
dence of our sister republics OF Central
and South America, and to promote IN
every proper and honorable way the
interests which are common 10 the
peoples of the two continents.
earnestly desire the most cordial un'
|derstanding and cooperation between
the peoples and leaders Of America,
and therefore deem 1T my duty to
make this brief statement:
Urges Cooperation.
| "Cooperation is possible only when
supported at every turn by the orderly
processes of just government Dased
upon law, not upon arbitrary or 1rreg-
ular force. We hold, as I am sure all
thouehtful leaders of republican gov
ernments everywhere should. that just
government rests always upon the
consent of the governed and that
there can be no freedom without order
based upon the public conscience and
approval. We shall look to make
these principles the basis OF mutual
between our sister republics and our
selves. We shall lend our influence
of every kind to the realization OF
these principles in fact and practlce'
knowledge that disorder, personal IN.
trigue and defiance of constitutional
rights weaken and discredit govern
ment and injure none so much as the
people who are unfortunate enough
to have their common life and COM
mon affairs tainted and disturbed. We
can have no sympathy with those who
seek to seize the power OF government
to advance their own personal inter-
ests or ambition. We are the friends
of peace, but we know that there can
lbe no lasting or stable peace In such
circumstances. AS friends, therefore,
we shall prefer those who act In the
interest Of peace and honor, who pro-
tect private rights and respect the re-
straints of constitutional provision.
Mutual respect seems to use the in
dispensible foundation of friendship
between states as between individuals.
Security Of Governments.
1.-THE United States has nothing to
seek in Central and South America,
except the lasting interests OF the peo-
pies of the two continents, the secur-
ity of governments intended for the
people and for no special group Of
Interest, and the development of per-
|sonal and trade relationships between
the two continents which shall re-
dound to the profit and advantage and
both interfere with the rights and
liberties Of neither.
"From these principles may be read
so much of the future policy of this
government as it is necessary now to
forecast and in spirit of these princi-
pies I may, hope, be permitted with
as much confidence as earnestness to
extend to the governments of all the
repl. plics of America the hand of gen.
uine disinterested friendship, ana to
pledge my own honor and the honor
Of my colleagues to every enterprise
Of peace, and amity that a fortunate
future may DISCLOSE"
The president took the above state
ment to the cabinet meeting. He
read it to the cabinet, which was In
session for two hours, and issued 1t
shortly afterwards to the press.
At the white house it was disclaim-
ed that the statement was aimed at
any particular country. It was declar-
ed that it would be sent to the diplo-
matte representatives of the United
States in all Central and southern
American countries alike.
While most Of the countries In the
western hemisphere are enjoying do,
nestle as we'll as international peace,
state department officials have exer-
cised a close watch on events in Mex
leo, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras,
San Domingo, Cuba and Salvador.