Evening star., 1928-12-02
Welding the Americas

therefore, that misunderstanding of and
prejudice against the United States ex-
lists throughout Central and South
America. We have had to use bullets
and bayonets in Latin America to main
tain order and safety for the protection
of our own citizens, the citizens OF
European nations and the people OF
the southern republics themselves. But
bullets and bayonetS, no matter now
necessary or how judiciously or sparing-
ly used, do not breed good will or in
ternational friendship. They breed
hatred and distruSt.
our high tariffs on South American
products, no matter how necessary; our
immigration quotas, do not breed in
ternational good will.
Nevertheless, there is general knoWl-
edge and appreciation throughout Latin
America of the fact that without the
real friendship and protection of the
United States during the last century,
most of what are now independent,
sovereign republics probably would be
European colonies, dependencies, man.
dates or protectorateS.
ConciIiator and Shield.
Throughout the course of years the
United States has acted as conciliator
40 we'll as shield. OL~ influence has
been used to prevent the development
in South and Central America of ma
tional hatreds and animoSitieS such as
have rent asunder the Old World. We
have attempted, and largely succeeded,
in maintaining unity of political prin-
ciples and ideals throughout Latin
America: faith in government of the
people, for the people and by the
people. There are, of course, what may
be termed relationships" in Central
and South America. Nevertheless, the
form and the ideal of free govern
ment for the benefit of the governed
has been kept alive.
Our general problem in Latin Amer
lea, and the one that makes Mr. Hoo
ver's visit to the southern republics so
desirable and necessary, is to allay Sus-
picion and distrust of our motives. We
must convince the people of whole
continent and of the half continent i'm
mediately south of us that in the words
of Elihu Root, uttered in 1906: I'VE
neither claim nor desire any rights or
privileges or powers that we do not
freely concede to every American re-
public"
We must give definite assurance that
the people and the Government of the
United States do not sanction interna-
ttonal loans and business practices con-
ceived in fraud and designed to exploit
instead of benefit the people of the
borrowing nation.
Must Convince Neighbors.
We must bring to our southern neigh
berS conviction of the fact that it is
no part of our national ambitions to
extend the territory over which the
nag of the United States floats.
We must convince others, as we our
selves are convinced, that we will re-
move our Marines from Caribbean re-
publics as soon as the people of those
nations are able to establish and main
tain stable governments for the protec-
tlon OF their own lives and property
dents.
We must make apparent to the peo-
pie of Latin America the fact that we
DO not expect to gain trade from them
without helping in the DEVELOPMENT of
their own resources and industries for
their own benefit. Our own prosperity
ana national well being are dependent
upon the material welfare and good will
OF our neighbors. Our total trade with
Mexico amounts to less than $3.50 .OOO.- =
600. Our trade with Canada, though
its population is less than that of Mex
leo. exceeds $1,S00,000.000.
Mr.. Hoover Qualified.
For these tasks Mr.. Hoover is emf
nently qualified by nature education
and experience. The mere fact that
he has recognized the importance of
our relationships with Latin America is
proof of the determined effort that will
be made throughout his administration
as President to better those relations.
There are misconceptions, misunder-