Gilpin observer., 1914-05-07
WASHINGTON NEWS
By Edward Heating.


When the representatives of the
"A. B. c." confederation-Arge
Brazil and Chill = walked into the
the state department a week ago last
Saturday and asked leave to attempt
a peaceful adjustment of the differ
ences between this country and Cen
eral Huerta, Old World diplomacy re-
ceived a jolt that fairly knocked the
breath out of it, and even Uncle Sam
had to rub his eyes and pinch him
self to make sure he was not dream
ing.
why the blankety -blank-blank are
those greasers butting in. and where
and what in the Sam Hill is the A. B
c. confederation" shouted one jingo-
istic member Of congress when he
heard the news
1t behooves us all to take down our
old biographies and dust them off.
for a new world power has been born
and We might as we'll get acquainted
with it.
About 100 years ago the countries
to the south of us shook off the yoke
of Spain and set up Independent gov
ernments. We promulgated the Mon
roe Doctrine in order that they might
have a chance to get on their feet,
scarcely adopted their constitutions
before they began fighting among
themselves, and the landgrabbing
powers Of Europe would have seized
them If the United States had not
assumed the role of big brother.
'Jefferson's Prophecy.
In a letter to jefferson, written in
the early twenties, John Adams des-
cribed the anarchy prevailing through
out South America and declared that
there was no reason to believe that
these turbulent people would ever de-
velop capacity for self-government.
The Sage of Monticello had a more
accurate vision. however. and he con-
tended that no people could pass from
slavery to the full enjoyment of free
institutions in a single generation.
Give them a ctance", he counseled,
''and they will reward our patience
and friendship.
Almost a century has passed since
jefferson ventured that prophecy.
Now there are 20 republics in Latin
America, and at least three of them
are demanding recognition as first
class powers and they are possessed
of the commercial and military
strength to enforce the claim. We
have been so busy with our own af-
fairs that we have not followed their
development. Like some doting but
careless parents who persist in think
ing of their offspring as children
long after they have reached matur-
ity. we have sustained the role of
guardian Of South America long af-
ter a considerable portion of that
continent was quite capable of safe
guarding its own interest.
The Children Who Grew Up.>
Undoubtedly Argentine, Brazil and
Chilli enjoyed the amazement of their
Uncle Samuel when they bolted into
his front room and said:
What's the row. old top? Leave
this fellow Huerta to us. We under
stand him and know how to reason
with him. Mexico is one of the fam
lily, you know, and while she is a
trifle fused up just now, 1t is our
duty as loving brothers and sisters
to help her out Of her difficulties.
Just keep your temper, Uncle. and
everything will be lovely in a few
days.
They might be pardoned II they in
dulged In chuckle. under the cir
cumstances. but II their Uncle Sam
uel was surprised, he proved he was
not bereft of his sound common
sense. which Is his most notable trait.
for he promptly accepted their offer
The mediators went about their
self-imposed task with the vigor and
skill Of old hands, and there is rea-