The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-12
JOHN BARRETT
OPPOSES WAR
WITH MEXICO
As It Might Have Bad Effects
on New Pan-Americanism
of the Hemisphere.

CINCINNATI. April 12-At a joint
meeting last night of the Chamber
of Commerce and the Credit Mems
Association OF this city. John Bar
rett. director general Of the Pan
American Union at Washington and
former United States minister to Ar
gentina, Panama and Colombia, de-
livered an address upon the subject
OF "The New Pa nAmercanism; Its
Mighty Meaning to America"
In view Of the present widespread
Interest in the Mexican situation, he
made special reference to those
phases of it which affect the relations
of the United States with its sister
American republics. Inasmuch as
Director Barrett is, in his capacity as
executive officer of the Pan American
Union. the international organiza-
ton OF all the American republics
devoted to the development Of COM
merce, friendship and peace among
them, an officer of Mexico and the
other Latin American countries Just
as much as he Is Of the United States
and Is therefore in closest touch with
Latin American public sentiment.
his words have a special significance.
Mr.. Barrett said:
1.-THE Pan American situation,
especially as affected by the condi-
tions In Mexico. should appeal to
the interest Of all patriotic Ameri-
cans. 1t is question that concerns
the people Of Ohio, Kentucky and
West Virginia in exactly the same
way that It concerns those OF New
England and New York, or Califor-
MIA and Louisiana. 1t involves not
only the future commerce and pres
tige OF the United States but all Of
the American nations that constitute
Pan America. II it works out sue
cessfully, It will be the greatest step
forward in practical Pan American
ism which has been taken since the
declaration Of the Monroe doctrine
In 1923. II 1t results In war with
Mexico as a government and people,
no one can foretell what will be tho
final effect upon Pan American COM
merce and Pan American comfy.
THAT order should be brought
out Of confusion in Mexico is of the
highest Importance to the welfare Of
the western hemisphere. The good
name Of the countries OF Central and
South America are Just as much at
stake as that of the United States.
They all feel deep concern in the
solution Of the problem. 1t is. there
fore. impossible to separate the Mex
lean question from its Pan American
bearings. for all the countries OF Lat
In America are watching its issue
with the same concern as the United
States.
Upon It's final settlement may
rest the decision whether the United
States Is to win or lose the conf
dence and the commerce OF Latin
America: whether 1t is always to hold
position of power and trust among
the American republics or one of
weakness and distrust. II the prob
lem is successfully solved, 1t may do
more than any other influence in his
tory to advance both the prestige and
the trade Of the United Staes. II itI
Is solved unsuccessfully. 1t may be a
most destructive factor in its effect
upon such prestige and trade.
When we read the news each day
dUOul MeNicU anu ueUdte ttle Mexican
question. We must look beyond the
mere border section and see all Mex
leo and all Latin America. We must
remember that there are 10000, 900
people in Latin America south Of the
Rio Grande who are almost as much
interested in the outcome Of the sit
uation as are the 100. 900. 900 in the
United States north of 1t. We must
remember that the foreign commerce
of the twenty Latin American coun-
tries for which we are making such
an effort has an annual value OF
nearly $4,000, 100000. of which the
share OF the United States has al
ready reached the splendid total Of
$500. 900. 900. We must remember
that these countries cover nearly o.
OOO, 900 square miles. or three times
the area OF the United States. where
there is unlimited opportunity for
the investment Of American capital
and the development Of American
commerce. We must remember that
1