The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-28
Our olicy in
I-atin-America

War is a matter of feeling rather than a matter
of logic. 1t cannot settle anything that could not
be better settled In better way. There is no rea-
son why nations should fight out their differences
on the battle field than why individuals should
settle their differences by physical force. If there
is such a thing a sense OF justice. and we cam
not doubt it without inviting chaos, the substi-
tuition of might only delays the final settlement,
which must come at last with accumulated In
terest AS nations differ greatly in size and
strength. 1t Is obvious that cannot be relied
upon to establish justice any more than fight
between two individuals be relied upon to
determine viii n Is in the right
The Latin American republics are awaiting
their most profitable development, because they
have only partially developed. Their resources.
actual and estimated. such as to make that
field the most attractive for mankind to devote
its energies toward It's best and most useful ex-
ploitatton They await the enterprise and activity
-A4@-attrHs last few decades elevated
the United States from a colony to world power
We have capital in abundance and 1t Is but logi-
cal that our neighbors should turn to Us for
such assistance as be legtimately rem
dered. We have constructive ability and we
have the experience necessary. This experience
and this capital can successfully employed to mu-
tual advantage.
It is evident, however. that in quarters
the policy OF this administration towards our
Latin neighbors, well other countries. is
misunderstood Yet feel that the president
has by speech outlined and by act illustrated his
conception OF fairness. American enterprise
should have every proper announcement. and
this encouragement he s prepared TO give. but
knowing that commercial intercourse rests for
its pernanence upon mutual advantage, he In
sists that American business men shall carry in
to every country where they expect to do busi-
ness the highest conception of honor and good
/ faith. Every dollar collected should be the
compensation for dollars worth of service.
All this can be done after systematic cam
paign of instruction. Readiness to understand
one another Is absolute necessity, and the
marked increase throughout the United States
in the study Of the Spanish language, well
as the readiness with which our Southern neigh
4 bors are acquiring English, augurs we'll for a
closer intimacy. 1t will be then but step to
an intellectual exchange between the American
republics. The intellectual life OF all countries
should be quickened by acquaintance and COM
parson of views. Every effort should be made
to stimulate interchange of thought, and
an inspection of methods Of instruction should
be invited. A part of the increasing stream of
travel that has fortified the Old World should
be diverted to South America In this wise we
find ourselves returning to the one basic PROPOSE
tion-namely that must deal with one an
other sympath ,tically The consciousness of this
( relation-of this kinship, for such 1t Isis the
first step toward friendly relations between ma
tions.--Secretary Bryan in the Independent