The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-01
BY Wickwire.


Nothing outside the business i'm
mediately before the arms confer
ence has been the subject of more
general IL quiet comment among the
delegates and observers in attend
ance than the fact that Latin
America officially IL unrepresented
there. The fact that the principal
business of the conference is being
transacted in a building especially
dedicated to the use of the Latin re-
publics, largely built and supported
by appropriations from their govern
ments, emphasizes the fact of their
absence and measurably accounts
for the curiosity that has been
aroused.
but, as a high official of ,ne Of
these republics suggested today, and
as has been rather pointedly SIT out
IL the columns of the Mexican.
Chilean, Argentine and other Latin
American newspapers, there were
other than sentimental reasons for
the desire OF these countries for
representation in the conference.
Keen Interest in Pacific.
Latin-America, with a population
approximating ninety millions. has
faChlc coastnne IN excess Oh Ten
thousand miles, considerapie ana
growing trade with the orient. as
with the United States. and some. at
least, OF the Latln-American repre-
sentatives in Washington feel that
any settlement of Pacific problems
not taking account Of the future
needs of their countries must be in-
permanent.
The statement that President
Harding Is contemplating Gaming
shortiy conference OF american
powers may De an lnoication that
some rippies from inns uhdercur
rent OF dissatlsiaction mas reached
ms ears. Wnlle they comment
taVorabiy In pubic on the proposal
many representative Latln Ameri-
cans mere snow nttie enthusiasm III
private conversations for such
conference. Is u to be called, they
ASK, that the United states may
consult with her sister repubhcs on
solutions Of world problems OF
mutual interest," or ior the purpose
OF announcing 10 mem oecisioiis
the Snhed states ALREADY mas
taken!
Disquieting Declarations.
~ for tho fire, n,rnose thev feeI
nj a a
iato AZ yrornd Tor thsir annra.
hension that ,ha latter n,,rnose NAV
he in View thew noint moi only 10
various ats oS ,ba coyarnmen, of
tho GTni,ed states hut ~ a long line
NJ decia rations of noIicy s,unciatad
hy a.. hiaha.t nffio;o,. ,.h;oh
tpouah re ,ossad ai1,os, ~
noticed In ;his on,,,,,,,' ara o,tad
throuehom, Ia,inA &c. 90 az inSi.
eating the true measure ~ our 70.
snan, ,o. IT. ansiras ,aaii,.
The first OF these declarations.
one which still rings throughout
Latin-America with all the doleful
clangour OF funeral dirge tolling
the passing of their fondest national
aspirations, was that Of Richard Oh
ney, then Secretary Of State. In
communication to Congress in 1895:
The United states Is practically
sovereign on this continent, and its
fiat Is law upon the subjects to
which II confines Its interpOsitiOn."
1t IL difficult for us, accustomed
as we are to the vigorous amenities
or quadrennial Presidential cam
paign. to comprehend the shock to
Latin American sensibilities occa-
stoned by this bold declaration.
'hos ~ 'NpiVcNhhS tuAy thC oAlltihl
viewpoint in the United States. they
are firmly convinced, and point TO
ii as influencing, three years later
the attitude of President Mckinley
in answering a delegation petition.
ing for the liberation Of territories
acquired in the war with Spain:
NO, we are led In this matter by
uestiny. In capturing tnese ISLANDS
we have assumed a responsibility
for their inhabitants we cannot
evade."
Drastic interpretations"
Much water has coma ,brousb tho
;ntarnat,onai s,m,cewavs since 1903
anS cha at Last has heer as
s;s,.d In setting nm a yovernment
subject to orr rather loose qua rdian.
shin Rnt Porto Rico has been
sdonted formally and finally into
onr territorial system. perhaps is.
annroacbing statehood. while Pan.
ana Santo Domingo and Haiti. and
again panama have been subjected
re more or less drastic "interposi.
lions" Of authority by the United
states
As eyidencine. the probable con.
currence OF the present administra.
tion On what thew consider to be