Evening star., 1921-03-16
Editorial Digest
Peace on the Isthmus.

When Secretary of State Hughes
put his diplomatic snuffer on the
little war torch in Central America. a
number of editorial writers professed
to see deeper significance in his gesture
than. the mere haltins of hostilitfes
between Panama and Costa Rica.
"The real issue" remarks the Fresno
Republican Gndepe ndent. is not the
American interests in the Canal Zone.
hut the relation OF the United States to
the league of nations.
Since Panama. despite its Obedience
to the cease fire" orders from Wash
ington. is not ready to yield its claim
on the disputed territory. the Baitl-
more Sun independent democratic)
suggests that the matter. as far as
the United States and the league is
concerned. is not settled. If the
league took up the question of the
boundary dispute and differed with
the State Departments view. 1t asks.
would that tend to increase this
country's prestige and popularity with
the world. even though they might
make some excuse for refusing to
take action against this country?
What bearing upon the question has
that section of the covenant refer
ring to regional understandings such
as the Monroe uOclTlHt
The action of the new administra-
tion is widely approved. The New
York Times independent democratic)
thinks that it has made "a good be-
ginning sentiment reflected by
the Pittsburgh Dispatch Gndepend-
enD, which considers the step a no
tice that a strong and positive for
eign policy" is to be enforced. The
Richmond Times s-Dispatch demo
cratic) agrees that it "augurs well
for the visor of the foreign policy.
and the Cleveland Plain Dealer Gn-
dependent democratic). finds it graft
flying as does the Boston Herald
independent republican,. which re-
joices that action will be based upon
a decision to do one thing or the
other. not upon a complacent will
ingneSS to let time and circumstances
force our hands, The Indianapolis
Star independent republican,. grants
; that Mr.. Hughes note should impress
our Latin American neighbOrs as well
as the rest of the world"
The Minnesota Star Independently
doesn't subscribe to the tenor of the
note: This role of peacemaker by
force has the dangers which go with
bullying. even when bullying is done
with the best intentions. It's short
cut to immediate settlement, but it
does not make for the good under
standing which ought to exist be-
tween the Latin countries of America
and the United States. 1t is bad
omen for the adjustment of our rela-
tions with Mexico
There is no need to worry concern
| ing friction with the league. the
; Spr ingfield Union (republican) be-
lieves. for 'it is doubtful if in the
present state of things the league
| would undertake to act without ref
erence to the United States" and the
IN I a.
! clares fatty that "the danger of in
reference by Europe through the
league of nations does not exist"
Says the Baltimore News Gnde
pendent: The vigorous ultimatum
| to Costa Rica and Panama is a sigma
to the league that just as long as
| regional understandings like the
Monroe doctrine stand. the policing
| of Central American states is our
business and not the leagues
1t may be further construed. says
| the Pittsburgh GaZetteT Times( repub-
lican) "as notice to Europe that We
do not need the league of nations tC
assist us in regulating affairs in this
hemisphere" thus, in the words OF
| the Worcester Gazette Gndependent)
"dissipating hope that may have beer
entertained in foreign capitals of dis
covering that this nation had yielded
| its right longer to proclaim itself pO-
[ llIlcdIIt on This sue Oh lH'
Atlantic. The Knoxville journal and
Tribune (republican) remarks witt
apparent satisfaction that the Mon
roe doctrine has not been abandoned
as some who attended the Versailles
conference thought" but on the other
| ha nd. as the Sioux City Uowa) Tribun
Independently puts it, ''it is interpreted
| by the administration as more thar
| a declaration against the aggression
| by European powers in this hemi-
sphere" but is an edict that CLOTHES
us with parental authority over the
republics of the south. at least wher
our canal may be jeopardized.'
The quick decision followed by as
prompt an act was in the opinion of tnc
Wichita Eagle independently "a cle"H"
and possibly mastery diplomatic
move on the part of President Harding
who wants to tell the world that while
the league Of nations was getting ready
to give advice. the United States stopped
the fight and restored peace" And, il
concludes doubtless he can do it,
The Worcester Telegram (republican)
supports the administration course and
expresses satisfaction that it was inau.
gurated without wasting time" over the
question whether the dispute might be
referred to the league. This showed
that the United States still regards it.
self responsible for the maintenance oi
| the Monroe doctrine for peace in the
Americas, and intends to pursue its ira.
ditional policy toward other American
countries. leaving the possibilities Of ap'
peal to the council to be taken up a,
| Tho rronar fjpna--hnt action first