The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-08-27
Hoover and Smith, Siamese Twins
of Capital.

On the basic question Of Imperialism smith
and Hoover are perfect twins-we might say
Siamese twins. 1t is important to accentuate
this point, because Smith takes little lati-
tude here in the hope Of catching some Of the
disconnected votes. Al Smith says he wants
to abolish 'the practice of the president Of
entering into agreements for the settlement
of internal disputes in Latin-American coun-
tries unless Unless the agreements have
been consented to by the senate as provided
for in the constitution of the United States"
are the qualifying words Of Smith. But "the
consent of the senate" means nothing more
than an inconvenience to the senator's who
may be obliged to drop the pose Of the Borah
sort of "anti-imperialism, which proves al
ways to be its opposite when tested. Smith
is against interference in the purely inter-
nal affairs of Latin-American countries" -
which means, of course, that anything will
be construed as not being purely Internal
that may be required as an excuse for in
vasion and conquest of Latin-Anercan coun-
tries. 1t should be noted carefully that
Smith speaks critically of the present mill
tary invasion and war against Nicaragua
but he abstains with equal care from any de-
mand that the marines be withdrawn from
Nicaragua 1t is curiously interesting that
Smith for his "anti-imperiast" inspiration
goes to "a great republican secretary of state,
Elihu Rootr' Is this not sly hint that the
democratic party will carry out the repub-
lican imperialist policy in Latin America?
But there can be no serious contention that
the conquest of Latin America by the United
States will not be undertaken as quickly by
Smith as by Hoover when Smith declares his
readiness to act upon "such responsibilities
to civilization as may be placed upon us by
the Monroe Doctrine" The Monroe Doctrine
today is nothing less than the doctrine Of
United States imperialist domination and
ultimate military rule over all of Latin
America.
Nor need anyone be fooled by Smiths at
tack upon Coolidge's doctrine that the per-
son and property of citizen are part of
the national domain even when abroad" 1t
is only an attack upon Coolidges stupidity
frank wording of the doctrine which both of
them would put into effect-the sort of ''razz-
ing" which is considered legitimate among
rival servants of the same boss.
Nowhere does Smith say that he would
withdraw the marines from Nicaragua
Nowhere does he say anything more than, in
effect, that he would be more skilful than
his rival in the enforcing of the imperialist
program on Latin America. He constantly
refers to Wilson as the highest model, and
under Wilson the one greatest giant stride of
American Imperialism took place-both the
mitarization Of the nation and entry into
the world war, and the ruthless conquest of
Latin-American countries.
On foreign policy in general there is not
even a shadow of pretense of difference
On the questions of war and ornaments, all
of Smiths fine words of pacifism are only
uttered in rhetorical competition with Kel-
loggs pacifist drive, and the same imperialist
war program is endorsed by Smith when
Smith implies his support of the Kellogg
pact