Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-01
John Barrett Says Two Mighty lnflu'
ences Have Served to Keep the
Issue in Center of Stage.
EFFECTS OF EUROPEAN WAR
AND THE MEXICAN SITUATION
Emphasizing the Importance Of Diplomatic Commercial and
Friendly Relations Between the United States and the
Latin Repubics-Need Of Merchant Marine.

Practical pan-Amerlcanlsm, Will
comment upon various phases OF this
great international force. has been dis
cussed by John Barrett, director gen.
eral of the Pan-American Union. in the
following article, prepared by Mr. Bar
rett especially at the request OF The
Star Mr.. Barrett, who is regarded as
one of the greatest authorities on this
subject, says:
.Pan-Americanism is today by the
force of actual events and circum-
stances in the very front of public con-
sideration of international topics. Not
outstanding the fact that during the
last ten years there has been a gradual
and even remarkable growth of atten-
ton to this subject throughout the
United States. Latin America and the
world largely as a result of the con-
sistent efforts of the State Department
or foreign offices of the United States
and it's sister American republics. and
of the unremitting propaganda of the
Pan-American Union, two mighty IN
fluences have within the last two or
three wears unavoidably kept pan
Americansm in the center OF the stage
of international activity. These have
been and are the European war and
the Mexican situation.
Effect Of European War.
"Unquestionably tho European war
has done more than any other interna-
tional influence since tho declaration of
the Monroe doctrine in 1923 to en-
iphasize tho Importance Of the diplo-
matte, commercial and friendly rela-
lions between the United States and
the twenty republics that reach from
Cuba and Mexico on the north to Ar
gentina and Chile on the south. 1t
might be said that the silver lining of
the European war cloud has been the
growth Of pan-Americanism. This
gigantic and unfortunate conflict. has
had fortunate phase in the good ef-
feet it has produced upon pan Ameri-
can solidarity of interest and action IN
commerce, pan American friendship
and pan American interdependence
along all those lines which work for
the American republics. This war. dur
ing its first year. brought about almost
an effectual blockade of the principal
ports of Latin America and cut on not
only large portion Of Latin American
export and import trade with Europe.
but also the source Of money supply
necessary for the public loans and prt-
waite enterprises of the Latin American
~ 90 per cent of the exports and i'm
ports of Latin America with the United
States. as well as with Europe. were
carried, in vessels flying the hags OF
the belligerent nations. their commerce
with the United States suffered ma
terialy.
existed large merchant marine flying
the United States flag, and II there had
been abundant banks throughout Latin
America controlled by United States
capital. not only would Latin America
have suffered very little from the Euro
pean war. but the United States would
have gained an increased trade Of sew
eral hundreds OF millions OF dollars. which
was entirely lost through lack of ship
ping and banking facilities During the
earlier part of the European war a mer-
chant vessel flying the flag of bellig-
erent nation did not dare to sail to or
from a Latin American port. for fear Of
capture by cruisers Of the enemy then
patrollIng the high seas 1t was not
been completely driven from the seas
that these commercial vessels were re-
leased from the existing blockade.
Docks Piled High With Freight.
''The docks and wharves of the Latin
American ports were piled high with their
exports. which could not be sent to the
United States or Europe. and the docks
and wharves of the United States were
equally loaded with exports which could
not be sent TO Latin America Had there
therefore. been an adequate fleet Of
American vessels that could have imme-
diately cared for this export and import
trade. normal conditions would have been
preserved Not until such a fleet is or
ganized and built can the United States
ever hope TO maintain its proper position
IN pan American commerce, and all Latin
America. as well as the United States
appreciates, as a result Of the war that
such merchant marine must be devel-
Gped- Latin America wants II fust az
much as the United States does.
'At the present time the United States
IS much in the position of proprietor
OF a great department. store who. In
stead OF possessing his own equipment
OF delivery automobiles to carry To the
home OF his patrons what they have
purchased. depends upon those of a
r..9l concern through some arrange
E1cnt or contract. He is helpless II
there is strike among the chaufYeurs
Of this rival concern or II IL should be
put out Of business. A situation like
this would cause everybody to criticise
the business judgment OF the proprietor
who followed such methods The United
States has absolutely depended for
many years upon the delivery steam
ships Of Europe and Asia for the send
Ing Of its products abroad. and when
@ouDle came among these foreign
countries this land was helpless and
deserved the same kind of censure that
of department store 1t is now to be
hoped that Legislation of some kind
Will soon be enacted which will place
the American flag in every port OF
Latin America
U. s. Progress in Banking.
In banking tho United States has
made remarkable progress during tho
past two years. As q result of the &C.
tion of the National City Bank of New
York City a new era has been inaug-
ura'ed In pan-American banking rela.
tions. II has established branches al.
ready in Buenos Aires, Rio dc Janeirc
and Montevideo. and plans TO plac<
them in other commercial oentees anc
capitals The vast busineas that THU
bank has already done In dollar ex.
change and IN building up trade I,