Evening star., 1921-01-03
HARDING HAS EYES
ON THE AMERICAS
Will Strive to Strengthen
Friendship Between U. S.
and Sister Republics.
BY ROBERT #. SMALL.

MARION, January 3.-In his dis
cussion of International affairs with
a number of visitors President-el
Harding has indicated very plainly
that he will take a deeper interest
in Central and South American af-
fairs than any President of recent
years. When it comes time to take
up diplomatic appointments-and that
time, 1t should be stated. still is far
in the distance--Senatot Harding will
endeavor to pick the Very best avaiIa-
Bile men for the posts among the
American republics.
AS usual. it is expected that the
greatest pressure will be brought to
bear by those who would represent
the United States at the court of st.
James. in London; at Paris, or Rome,
or Berlin. but in the Harding admin
Istration there is every reason to be-
lieve that the posts at such capitals
as Rio, Bpenos Aires. Montevideo and
consideration
: View Made Plain in Panama.
Senator Harding is desirous of see-
ing the relations between the United
States and her sister republics of
this hemisphere greatly strengthened.
During his recent trip to Panama he
made this very plain. The policy he
has in mind is not the result of that
trip. He has given the matter serious
thought for years. The Panama trip
merely confirmed his conviction that
diplomatically as we'll as CONNER
cially. the interests of the United
states lie at this time strongly to
the southwark.
The glamour Of the European courts
has attracted most of the best Ameri-
can diplomats of the past. Mr.. Hard
ing feels that real constructive work
in the interest of the country offers
opportunity to the biggest men we
have. automatically speaking, in the
South American ambassadorships ps.
The reasons for this are many and
obvious. For the last six or seven
years. and even longer our relations
with the other Americas have all but
been forgotten. The world war, which
began nearly seven years ago, natur-
ally focused all interest on Europe
and there it has remained
Europe, In the next administration,
will be the great problem. but it will
be a problem which involves inme-
diate consideration by the President
himself. by Congress and by the cabi-
net. Tho individual ambassador in
Europe during the next four years
will have little opportunity for, indi-
vidual effort, his course, naturally.
will be directed step by step from
Washington. In sense he will be
under 4 system of wireless control.
Wide Field in South America.
In South America the ambassador of
the next four years will find a wide
field of work. in which his personal.
ity, his tact and. naturally, his dipIo-
macy. will count for much. The
United States always has posed as
the "big brother" of the western
hemisphere. but there is no deffSspg e
the fact that some of our sister RS
publics have been treated more like
step children. 1t it had not been for
what might be termed the extra off
cial activities of the United States
representatives in the Pan-American
Union, more than one of the nations
to the southwark might have been es-
tranged. These neighbor nations al
ways have been found ready to do
their part in any sort of arrangement
with the United States, but this courl-
try has been found more than often
neglectful.
At the beginning Of his admins.
tration. President Wilson spoke of
forming the Americas into sort OF
league of nations for disposing of
matters affecting the western hemi-
sphere but the world war upset this
work. as it upset all the affairs of the
universe. Secretary of State Colby is
making a notable. il somewhat be-
lated, tour of South America, and.
while his trip may be said to be
wholly related to the Wilson admin
istration. Mr.. Colby is personally
man of such tact and pleasing per-
sonality. he is certain to leave behind
a favorable impression which will
pave the way for the efforts to be
made by Senator Harding when he
assumes the office of President.
There has been considerable talk
recently that the league of nations
might win away to Europe the 10y
atty the South American countries
would otherwise feel toward the
United States. 1t must not be for
gotten that the South and Central
American countries declared war on
Germany only when the United States
stepped in. They waited for the lead
of the big sister and protector to the
north. These same countries became
members Of the league of nations,
through a ratification of the treaty
Of Versailles. in the belief that Presi-
dent Wilson and the United States
Senate eventually would reach an
country into the same league.
Senator Harding wants South Amer
lea to feel it will have a large part
to play in his proposed association
of nations. the details of which are
yet to be worked out.
Copyright. 1921,)