New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-29
LATIN-AMERICANS
DISTRUST WILSON
Relations Cannot Improve
Under Him, Say
Diplomats
From The Tribune BUreaul

Washington, Oct. 2o.-Ihe future IN
fuence of the United States in South
America depends largely on the cleo
ton of Charles E. Hughes, Latin-Amer-
lean diplomats declare. While they do
not discuss politics publicly, and most
of them are personally unconcerned
over the election, President Wilson's
failure to make his actions support his
theories, particularly in Mexico, mas
convinced them this government cannot
gain the confidence of Latin America
while he is President
In four years, they point out, Mr..
Wilson has done nothing toward per-
manent settlement of the Mexican
problem. with an announced policy OF
non-interference, he repeatedly inter-
fered, to no purpose. Latin America
acouiesced in this, recognizing Car
rama. believing he would exact full
flment of international obligations,
and would furnish the means TO make
IL possible. But to-day, they declare,
conditions are worse than ever.
w llSOn Ain dsS changing
1.-THE great trouble" one diplomat
said, "is that nobody knows wnat MI
Wilson proposes to do, if anything.
One day his purpose is TO help the
Moons; the next day he says It IS the
duty of the United States 10 MAINTAIN
order in Mexico; another day he - tor
HUMANITY Any one of these policies
is comprehensive by itself, but tney
cannot be combined. SO when MI
Wilson tries TO do all three he per-
plexes us and accomplishes nothing. q,
I'VE don't deny that the Uaited
States ought TO protect its cltlzens anu
their property. Settlement is blocked
bv lust the fact that Mr.. wilson Is
talking about the rights OF humanity
while neelecting the rights OIL the
United States. If he should take nrm
stard on American rights ana interests
solely, with regard, OF course, lor III
ternational comfy, the Mexican proo-
lem would be solved.
American bankers take the same
view that we do. They don't know what
he will do next. If he should announce
simplv that he would defend American
rights and American interests in Mex
leo. money would flow there. Carranza
could make his government effective.
Rorder raids would be stopped. Inc
Mexican problem would vanish. And
incidentally. Latin America would be
easy. for Latin America asks nothing
more of the United States than that II
stand on its own rights exclusively.
Opportunity for Hughes
Tf Mr.. Hughes is elected he will
have a great opportunity to cement
friendly relations with Latin America.
MIR Wilson proposed treaty of alll-
ance. which was well enough received,
but later events convinced the LaUih
Americans that it meant nothing.
Finally Mr.. Wilson dropped the mat
ter. because, it was understood, ne
feared 10 send it 10 the Senate with
the probability that it would open an
assault on his Mexican policies;
1--WE don't need such an alliance
We do need TO know what Washing
toms attitude toward Latin America
is. and particularly what its policy
with regard TO Mexico is. 70 speak
frankly. Mr.. Wilson's humanity doc
trine has seemed to US little patron
ling. We don't like to feel that we
are suffering peoples, who somehow
need to be helped or saved by the
United States.
$50. if Mr.. Hughes is elected and
takes his stand firmly on American
rights. leaving our rights to US and
Mexicos rights TO Mexico, he Will
have every chance 20 bring Latin
America and the United States closer
together than they ever have been be-
fore"