New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-26
Roosevelt ak
On League Stirs
Pan-Americans
Disavowal of Claim That
q. S. Controls Twelve
Votes Will Be Sought
Through Official Channels
Views Called Offensive
President of Union Declares
Nominee Has Made a
Grave Diplomatic Mistake

FROM The Tribunc's Washiu0ton Burrcu
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25-The decla-
ration of Franklin D. Roosevelt in his
Butte, Mont, speech that the United
states would have twelve votes in the
League of Nations as compared to the
SIX votes for England and her depend
encles created real sensation in Pam
American diplomatic circles here. In
terences are being made by South and
Central American diplomats that
Roosevelt is insisting the United States
will poll all the votes of the Western
Hemisphere members of the league
10 that violent protests are being made
South American diplomats who do
not understand American politics are
taking the ViceP Presidential candi-
dates utterances at their face value
Ihey do not make an allowance for the
extravagant statements of barn
storming campaign. Accordingly, the
South and Central American diplomats
are trying to obtain an official copy of
the Butte speech. When they have
succeeded the matter will be taken up
through official channels, with view
of obtaining a disavowal of Mr.. Roose-
vc!t's contention.
More than ordinary weight is being
given to the nominees recent speeches
in Pan-American circles. This is on
account of his recent retirement from
the official family and the fact that he
participated in the conference with
President Wilson and Governor Cox at
which an agreement was reached to
make the League of Nations the para
mount issue of the campaign.
Mr.. Roosevelt's speech is regarded as
at least semi official pronouncement
from the White House which the Pan
Americans do not think they can af-
ford to ignore. The South and Central
American countries are jealous of their
in the Administration policy is viewed
with serious concern. 1t is insisted in
some quarters they fastened to join
the League of Nations because they be-
lieved it would restrict the sphere of
influence of the United States in the
Western Hemisphere.
Some Of the most astute South
American diplomats were of the opin-
ion that they could make combinations
around the council board of the league
which would increase the influence
of the Southern countries in the af-
fairs of the Western hemisphere. Any
proposition such as is proposed by Mr..
Roosevelt under which the United
States would control the vote of all
the nations of Central and South Amer
lea and thus strengthen this country
will be resisted.
Aside from Mr.. Roosevelt's claim as
to the domination of the United States
in the league Of nations, the general
tone of mis- speeches are offensive to
an-American diplomats. They do not
take kindly to his reported declaration
that 81 know what l am talking about,
for I wrote the constitution of two of
these nations" To this country's
southern neighbors Mr.. ROOSEVELT
speeches appear to be of a boastful
character.
"Mr. Roosevelt has made a grave dip
lomatic mistake. if he has been correct
ly quoted" said John Barrett, president
of the PanAmerican Union. 1.-The in
ference that the United States will cast
the votes of the South and Central
American countries in the league of
members of the Pan-American Union.
81 already have requests to verify
the reports which have been printed
in the papers of Mr.. Roosevelt's speech
at Butte. One of the members of the
Pan american Union has asked Tor an
Interpretation Of Mr.. Roosevelt's ut
terances. Of course, there is not the
least ground upon which Mr.. Roose-
Welt can base his assumption that the
United States will control the votes
Of the South and Central American
countries in the league Of nations.
I'm the interests OF better feeling
toward the United States among the
members of the Pan-Amcrican Union,
l hope Mr.. Roosevelt has been mis-
quoted. We cannot afford to have the
United States placed in the attitude
of claiming the ability to swing the
South and Central American influence
in the league Of nations"