Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-03-13
PLEDGE OF PEACE Is
GIVEN BY PRESIDENT
Policy With Smaller RGpub.
lies Stated

Washington, March 12.-President
has issued this formal state
ment of his policy toward the Central
and South American republics:
I'm view of questions which are
naturally uppermost in the public
mind just now, the president issues
the following statement: One of the
chief objects of my administration will
be to cultivate the friendship and pre-
serve the respect of our sister repub-
lies and to promote in every proper and
honorable way the interests which ara
common to the peoples of the two con-
tinents. I earnestly desire the most
cordial understanding and cooperation
between the peoples and leaders of
America and therefore deem it my duty
to make this brief statement.
"Co-opration is possible only when
supported at every turn by the orderly
processes of just government basel
upcn law, not upon arbitrary or irreg-
ular force. We hold, as | am sure all
thoughtful leaders of republican gov
eminent everywhere do, that just gov
eminent rests always upon the consent
of the governed and that there can be
no freedom without order based upol
law and upon the public conscience
and approval. We shall look to make
the principles the basis of mutual in
tercourse, respect and helpfulness be-
tween our sister republics and our
selves. We shall lend our influence of
every kind to the realization Of the
principles in fact and practice, know
ing that disorder, personal intrigue
and defiance of constitutional rights
weaken'and discredit government and
injure none so much as the people who
are unfortunate enough to have their
common life and their common affairs
so tainted and disturbed.
eve can have no sympathy with
those who seek to seize the power of
government to advance their own per-
sonal interests or ambition. We are
the friends of peace, but we know that
there can be 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 protect private rights and respect
the restraints of constitutional pro-
vision. Mutual respect seems to us
the indispensable foundation of friend
ship between states as between indi-
viduals.
"The United States has nothing to
seek in Central and South America ex-
cept the peace of the two continents,
the security of governments intended
for people and for no special group
or interests and the development of
personal and trade relationships be-
tween the two continents which spa
cially rebound to the profit and advan-
tage of both and 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 the spirit of these
principles l may, hope, be permitted
with as much confidence as earnest
ness to extend to the government of
all the republics of America the hand
of genuine friendship and to pledge my
own honor and the honor of my col
leagues to every enterprise and peace
and amity that a fortunate future may
disclose
The president read the above state
ment to the cabinet today. At the
white house it was disclaimed that the
statement was aimed at any particular
country. 1t was declared that it would
be sent to the diplomatic representa-
~