Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18
American Policy in the Caribbean
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of trade routes has always been a
chief aim of diplomacy and when the
Panama Canal was opened the Carib.
bean assumed major Importance among
the trade routes of the world. 1t has
been to the interest, the vital interest,
of the United States to keep this re-
gion under American influence and it
has been said that the ultimate sue
cess of the American policy in the
Caribbean will be measured by the
political stability to be attained in
that region; the expansion of it's for
eign trade, development of it's natural
resources and greater investment of
American capital in it's local enter
prises. This region has been a tradi-
tiOnal storm center for revolution and
chronic political disorder. Most of it's
products can be developed only by
large corporations with great resources
and large supplies of cheap labor.
This commercial development often
means commercial control, and com
mercial control often leads to politi-
cal control. The American Govern
ment, therefore, has been placed in
the position of encouraging CONNER
cial enterprise, but preventing hurt.
ful exploitation by its own citizens as
well as dangerous political control by
the nationals of foreign governments.
1t has established pretty thoroughly
understood policy of carefully scruti.
nlZing European investment in the re-
glon. When the Tinoco government of
Costa Rica was disposed to grant
certain oil concessions to the British
government in 1917, the United States
Government withheld diplomatic
recognition, and the Tinoco govern
ment-as they all do-fell without it.
When the succeeding Acosta govern
ment Cancelled the concessions two
years later it obtained recognition of
this Government. Some foreign pow
ers have even asked the State Depart.
ment before seeking concessions in the
Caribbean countries. They wish to
avoid the charge of attempting to
uSurp this countrys political preroga-
uVes and to obtain, at the same time,
a taclt guarantee that their Interests.
if approved. will be protected. Through
this policy the United States has main.
tanned its influence in a region where
1T is important, for strategic reasons
alone, that it be maintained. At the
same time it has accumulated many
anu IluCn cflIlclSn.
X x x X
In 1905 Belgium, France, Germany.
Spain and Italy We're threatening the
Dominican Republic. That country
was bankrupt It's credit was gone
its debts unpaid and there was no
prospect that they would be paid. The
United States stepped in and by treaty
took charge of the country. Today
San Domingo is theoretically indie
pendent again. fairly prosperous and
in sound financial condition. But the
country remains in the receivership
Of the United States.
In Haiti revolutions and countel-
revolutions drained the country's re-
sources and when in 1915 French ma
rines were landed there the United
States, without any constitutional
warrant, except the power of the
Executive to conduct foreign relations,
seized control of the island and estab-
lished protectorate which in effect
exists today.
Haiti and the Dominican Republic
have been pointed out as the horrible
examples of American imperialism,
but both republics today have been
lifted from the depths of confusion and
bankruptcy to prosperity under the
protection, although it may have been
unsought, of the United States.
United States Marines landed in
Nicaragua for the first time in 1909.
In 1912 the United States in eff
feet established one political party
in control, later and by treaty Sc
cured rights to a canal, took over
supervision of finances and guar
anteed everything by United States
Marines. In 1925 the Marines were
withdrawn, and there was a revolu-
ton. Five days after the present
party came into control, after an cleo
si E got them, Sz I has had oiF th Mn