The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-03-11
]. s. TO COURT
PAN-AMER|CA
Harding Policy Favors Increas-
ed Patronage With Latins
and Less With Europe.


III the world policy" OF President
Harding could be summarized in few
words, they probably would be:
Increase American prestige in
Latin America, and decrease Ameri-
can ENHANCEMENT in the affairs of
Europe"
POINT TO ACTIVITIES.
Those who know the new President
best confidently believe that this ex-
presses generally the principles by
which Americas course in world af.
fairs will be charted FOR the next four
years at least. Those who have
talked with President Harding in the
week he has been President have
been struck with the great import
ance vh'c he attaches to matters af-
fectin@ South and Central America.
AS evidence of the new Administra-
TONS determination to strengthen our
relations with the republics of the West
ern hemisphere, IL was pointed out here
today that no sooner had Harding been
elected than he made a trip to the Mexi-
can border and to Panama to observe at
frst hand the conditions there, AMI
also, and more important, that the
frst two moves In world affairs by
the new Chief Executive were di.
rected. not at chaotic Europe. but at
Latin american countries.
ASKS FOR TREATY.
The second day the new Admins
tration was In office IL took prompt
action to stop the hostilities between
fsnarna and Costa Rica. which were
to create an ugly situa-
tion in Americas backyard. On the
sixth day the new Administration was
In office, the President sent a special
message to the Senate requesting the
ratification of the Colombian treaty.
which has long hung fire and which
has long been a prolific breeder OF
suspicion and distrust of the United
States among the small republics OF
the south.
President Harding has viewed with
concern the encroachments made in
South American trade by the na-
tions OF Europe. He has confided
to some of those with whom he mas
conferred at the White House this
week that he is reserving some OF
his most important diplomatic ap-
pointments for the nations to the
South. Diplomats are not 10 be
shunted OF to South America Just
because the Administration has no
other place for them.
PERIL STILL SEEN.
While actual hostilities between
Panama and Costa Rica have ceased.
there still Is a situation there
fraught with considerable peril 10
Americas Latin-American policy.
This will be enhanced II the League
of Nations enters the situation in
the attempted role Of mediator. Both
Costa Rica and Panama are mem
bers OF the league, and Information
has reached the State Department
that the latter already has taken
the matter up with league head
quarters in Geneva
What attitude this Government
would take If the league does at
tempt to intervene in what is con-
sidered purely an American aues-
ton, and one that comes under the
provisions Of the Monroe doctrine,
Is wholly problematical. Officials
were chary of commenting on the
subject today. The belief was ex-
pressed, however, that the league
will decide not to mix up in 1t.
With the Colombian treaty shelvad
for three weeks at least. the Admin
istration supporters in the Senate
will endeavor to minimize the op-
position to II during the recess. so
that when IT is called up eight days
after the new session begins, tn,
long fought treaty will have clear
sailing to ratification.
Late this afternoon the President
will receive Mt the White House eight
South and Central American ministers
who are on special missions in this
country. They will present letters.
Those who will call are ministers from
Costa Rica. Panama, Cuba, Ecuador.
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and
Salvador.