The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-15
Latin America and Common Sense

1t is easy enough to save good man from
his enemies, but it is often impossible to save him
from his friends.
This is just as true of good cause World
peace, international disarmament national temper
and dozen other perfectly good movements
have been slowed down more by some OF their mis-
guided advocates than by all the hardboed oppo
sition put together.
The cause of American morals, for example, is
given setback rather than boost when some blue
law society or other sizes the town constable on
the hard working clerk for playing a little golf on
Sunday. And the whole cause of religion suffers
when its so-called friends attempt to paddock the
family fivver to prevent a needed Sunday airing.
There is, of course, nothing new in the above
paragraphs We are moved to set them down here
however, for the sake of contrast. new organiza
ton that, to us, seems different has been set to
functioning in this country, orga nizaton which
has been purposey given the long name of THE
National Citizens Committee on Relations With
Latin-America," in order to furnish an inkling of
its character.
This committee according to its published prin-
ciples, aims to promote Americas interests in
LatinAmerica, rather than throw cold water on
them. 1t calls for:
l. A square deal for all republics of tie two
Americas for the least we'll as the greatest
g Settlement of controversies, not by force
or coercion, but by arbitraton-fn accordance with
the policy specifically Endorsed by the Government
of the United States in its adherence to The Hague
convention, twenty years ago.
s. Preservation and promotion Of legitimate
business by the restoration and development of
friendly relations with these countries
a. Noninterference in the government and in
ternal affairs of our Latin-American neighbors
n de ctof
is program which every true American can in
dorse whatever may be his creed
Latin-Amerca needs American capitaI Tho
committee is all for providing that capital II in
ssts only that the borrowers get it on terms fan,
to all.
There is vast amount of trade to be had in
LatinAmerica
The committee wants the United States to get
us snare But the way to get It is to cultivate the
friendship of these neighboring republics To arouse
their enmty is to lose this trade
we have legitimate interests in Latn.America
out these can be safeguarded without our taking
o'er 'ne government of these countries. Such seems
TO be the idea the committee has in mind
mere Is nothing visionary about this program.
IL IS as practical as a bankers ideas on money
lending and business expansion 1t is neither re
dictionary nor radical but common sense
Newton D. Baker of Cleveland. Ohio former
secretary OF War; is the committee. So are
President H. N McCracken of Vassar. profeSsons
Bliss Perry and +. w. Taussig of Harvard. Senator
walsh OF Massachusetts; Dr. Felix Adler Of Now
YORK; Judge George N Anderson of Boston. Presi
dent Ada A. Comstock of Radcliffe; Prof. John
Dewey Of Columbia; Prof Irving Fisher of Yale.
senator Frazier of North Dakota; Rabbi Israel of
Baltimore; Editor Paul u Kellogg of the SURVEY:
Representative o. ]. Kvale of Minnesota, and scores
Oh others of national standing. Senator George w
Norris of Nebraska is honorary president
Here then. would seem to be friends from
whom the cause requires no saving.