Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-12
An American Policy for the
Americans
FIRST ARTICLE


The continents of North and South America joined
together physically by the Creator BY the construction of the
Panama Canal putting them physically asunde Our
purpose closely to unite their peoples If fail to do
that epocha undertaking. instead of proving blessing to
them and may calamity to both To the
blessing calamity of such large and last
ing Importance that it worthy of the best thought the
craftsmanship of this country give to it.
business already showing that they realize the
change which the opening of the Canal will to the
merce of this nations preparing reap all
possible advantage for the industries of the United
States
We regret not congratulate the statesmen of the
nation upon equal foresight the political
which are certain to ensue immediate dis
and staemanke endeavor to provide for these
contingencies would best make for the
ity and progress of the nation
ExPresdent Roosevelt in his addresses South America,
proclaimed that it the intention of the United States to
the Monroe Doctrine unchanged and President Wilson
his address Mobile made the presumptuou declaration
that the United States will again seek additional
foot of territory by conquest
Political prophecy not being exact science shall not
that these eminent statesmen mistaken but is the
opinion The Georgian that Colonel Roosevelt and President
Wilson had fully comprehended the significance of the
separation of the two American continents by the Canal and
the political conditions certain to arise result of that great
achievement they would have been less cocksure in their
dictions.
In our opinion the future United States regards
relations the other nations Of North and South
America will be shaped either upon the grandoe decara
of Colonel Roosevelt South America the morastic
pledge of President Wilson in Mobile.
That the development of nation be controlled by their
has been not deusion of states
History affords instances of such Authorizations The
truth that the development OF s with exceptions
governed by evolution And is sufficient with
regard to these rare exceptions that the OF any nation
not justified by the economic demands of its people, seldom
permanent and always certain to prove burden rather than
benefit
to any nation to orese the trend OF its economic evolution
to safeguard for the future the already
enjoys and at the time make the best possible provision
insure to its people all ghu advantages which new cond
tons may afford.
"A nation like must keep abreast of the times fail
ur to do and may bring about national
disaster.
Those pat long either brushed aside
thrown The tide of progress can not be resisted per
manently.
period the history States
when this nation in need of forward foreign policy
than it is at present
watchful waiting may well be questioned by those of
our citizenship who are naturally conservative is policy
which ag behind and fails to
responsibilities
As physical achievement the linking of the and
Pacific by the construction of the Panama Canal
cited the interest and compelled the admiration of the world
The commercial possibilities which the Canal will open the
nations of the world being fully exploited They
derfuy aurng The shortening of the water route between
New York and Valparaiso from miles to 4o3o miles, of the
route between New York and Yokohama via San Francisco
1880 miles to 1886 miles of the route between New York
Manila via San Francisco and Yokohama from $3.50 miles
1885 miles achievement which must be ranked
the greatest of mankind 1t grips the imagination because
bound to have immediate and supendous effect upon
of the world and the habits and many
peoples thereby brought into much closer relationship
The commercial prospect through Pan
waterway has been of such absorbing interest that
paratvey little thought to have been given the
ca poent of the great enterprise except consdera
ton here and abroad of the naval advantage the
the United States.
That the opening of the canal will the dis
tant future change in the political relations in the Western
Hemisphere hardly secondary Importance change which
it will effect in commercial conditions to The American
inevitable What these political conditions will be-
the provisions which, in judgment this nation ought
make to meet them will be fully dealt with later We will
this preliminary article with the expression of these opinions
FirstThat the Monroe Doctrine ought be and will be
modified SO far as the relations between the United
States and the republics of South America making of
those nations parties to the Doctrine instead of subjective