New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-13
Brazil, Guatemala and Cuba
Show Friendship for U. 5.
in Declarations
Venezuela Is a Puzzle
President with German Lean
ings Keeps People from
Ranks Of Allies
BY CHARLES $. SALOMON

BY CHARLES $. SALOMON
Although the governments Of Brazil
Guatemala and cuba have responded TO
the feeling of friendship for the United
States by breaking relations with Ger
many, the response Of Latin America
the birthplace Of Bolivar and Sucre
and other great opponents of liberty
and soldiers in the cause Of political
independence, has not been satlsiac-
tory.
Cuba's attitude has been directed by
a sense Of gratitude for our part IN
her establishment as an independent
entity among nations and because her
liberty end institutions have been
founded on the same principles when
the United States has followed. ASIDE
from the partial payment Of this moral
debt by the little West Indian republic,
its outspoken declaration of war
against Germany also is proof OF
fine realization Of its duty 10 civiliza-
ton. Brazil, too. in breaking with Ger
many, was actuated no less by her senti-
ment Of friendship to the United states
than by desire to assert her national
integrity against attacks by Germany.
To some of the Latin American ma
tions the Monroe Doctrine has ap-
pealed as a fine principle in theory and
practice when the services Of the
United States were needed to act as
buffer against the threat Of aggression
by some European nation. Brazil, on
the other nand, without needing such
aid. always has stood as champion
of the Monroe Doctrine. and always
las felt a sense of gratitude toward
this country for the moral obligation
assumed and scrupulously carried out.
Guatemala Shows Friendship
Guatemala, with large German in
terests. also has demonstrated by &C
ton the warm friendship for the
United States, OF which President Es-
trada Cabrera has consistently given
proof. As countries go in Central
America. Guatemala is the largest.
Yet in her war measurements she can
hardly be considered with the present
international Golatns OF the battlefield.
However the attitude of Guatemala
and also Of Costa Rica. which has an
nounced its intention Of aid with the
world against Germany, is of value and
Importance. The explanation is their
proximity to Mexico.
Although Mexico has announced
policy of neutrality, the spasmodc
changes in that country give no assur-
ance that such policy will be strictly
adhered to. In case of change Of
this attitude in Mexico. the' litary
aid of her Central American neighbors
on the side of the United States would
be Of no small Importance. And Guate-
mala. which has a very fair army, is
not on any too friendly relations with
Mexico.
To those who believe ingratitudc and
friendship on he part of one nation to
another for a national act of kindness
shown. the attitude of Venezuela has
fecn disappointing. A dispatch from
Caracas a few days ago told of the
arrest Of German on suspicion be
cause he had a wireless outfit in his
possession and had tried to buy some
land. presumably to establish sub
marine base. It was the first an
nounced act by the Venezuelan govern
ment since the United States went into
the war to show that an attitude Of
neutrality was being observed.
United States Aided Venezuela
A little less than quarter Of cen
fury ago the United States was very
near the point of war with Great
Britain. Like i'm this country's present
participation. the threatened conflict
was over the UNFOLDING of great
right We insisted that England sub
nit TO arbitration her dispute with
Venezuela over the ownership of some
Of the latter country's land. Refusal
on the part OF England TO the demands
Of President Cleveland and Secretary
! Olncy would have meant certain war.
The land was saved to Venezuela and
great honor was paid the United States
throughout the grateful South Amer
can republic. for no nation ever risked
more for another
Whether the spirit OF gratitude no
iCnCcr exists i'm Venezuela or is sub
ordinated 10 German influence events
will tell. the fact IS that Venezuela
with a strongly pro-Ally population,
has in no official way that has reached
the world added a word Of encourage
mcnt TO the nation that vouchsafed her
national integrity II is true that the
German official influence in Caracas is
strong and the commercial interests in
the country large.
General Juan Vicente Gomez, who
controls tho government as a sort OF
President, cN ofiicio. having been elect
ed. but not inaugurated, has decided
German leanings. When he lived in
Los Andes his business was largely
with German interests. When. as Pres
Ident, succeeding General Cipriano Cas-
tro, he settled the claims Of the Meth
orlands aCains, Venezuela. it was
through private negotiation with Baron
Won Seckendorf, German Minister al
Caracas. Because of her control of
large part Of the OrinocO River, Venez-
uela might be n valuable aid in pre-
venting the establishment of subma-
rnc bases. She may even do this as an
active and sincere neutral. But n the
German influence is too strong. perhaps
British warships in the neighboring
British island Of Trinidad can take up
This work.