Evening star., 1922-03-26
OPPORTUNITYTOINC
FRIENDSHIP FOR THE u. S..
Military and Naval Commissions to Latin
America Would Pave Way for *
Better Understanding. j.

American spirit OF solidarity is to be
served in the end, there are diplo-
matte ways and means of bringing
1t about.
The very fact that this Pan-Ameri-
can spirit of solidarity-a spirit which"
should embrace in its understandings
and good feeling the republics of all :
the Americas-is suffering deserves
serious consideration. That an anti
american propaganda is fostered by
foreign missions in Latin America,
and that such incidents as the Span.
lsh american war md the Haitian
larsed upon to the detriment Of this
country's reputation are matters OF
common knowledge among naval on
GERS who have studied the situation
at first hand. p.
In addition. military men play A.
strong and influential part in the gov
ernment of many of the Latin Ameri-
can republics. Many military leaders
are chosen for the highest administra-
tive positions in the civil govern
that the country which has brought
up the army and navy of a young
republic will occupy a position OF
peculiar prestige among it's officials.
| itsi trade solicited. A great part of
South American business is trans-a
acted on friendship and understand
ing. This friendship and understand
ing are engendered by military and
naval missions ..t.,
HAS ALWAYS RESPONDED ='";
TO L. s. OvERTUREs. -.
1t is safe to say that South America,
speaking collectively. would respond
to any oyertures by the United States
! Offering assstance-given on the basis
OF good fellowship-of any kind. She
always has.
Ard mighty good way to use part.
OF our Navy in peace time will be to
send some battleships every now and +,
then on calls of pure courtesy to some
or the Latin American republics
Just TO stir up good feeling all around
and give them a chance to look at a.
real navy. There wouldn't be any
doubt about the welcome
When the declaration Of war by
the United States caught Admiral
Caperton's squadron off the coast Of
occasion for a declaration by Presi-
dent Brum Of Uruguay which ought
to pass down in history alongside the
Monroe doctrine. President Brum,
ing his ports to the American Navy,
said in effect that whenever the
United States goes to war with a
European nation Uruguay ceases to
be neutral" The welcome and hos
pitality shown the American naval
squadron while in the harbor of
Montevideo is a tradition among the
| officers and men who enjoyed it. '.'
BRUM IS STRONG FOR
AMERICAN SOLIDARITY,
President Brum, by the way, has
been compared to John the Baptist
calling in the wilderness for his
stand on solidarity between the
American republics. A young presi-
dent. but one whose vision and clear
sight for the future has already
identified him as one of the leaders in ,
the advocacy Of pan-Americanism, he
is cited as an example Of the spirit
many hope to see felt throughout all
Of South America q.
The Navy won a friend in Urusua vf
merely by a hasty call. When ADJ
mirai Caperton's squadron visited,
TWO OF Brazirs battleships were sent
| to New York not long afterward for
complete reconditioning, providing,
work for American workmen. The
| invitation for an American naval
commission is direct result of the =
visit of Admiral Caperton's SQUAD
| ron. When the official mission rep
resenting the United States attended !,
the Peruvian centennial last summer
it was welcomed and paraded and
shown courtesy which extended far and
beyond the demands of mere hospitality.
And there's an American naval mission
in Peru today