Evening star., 1928-09-30
BY GASTON NERVAL.
Noted Writer on Latin American Affair


respecting their adhesion to the recent
Kellogg treaty for world peace South
America. in its entirety, unqueStionably
holds a unique position among the
nations of the earth Although spirit
of concerted action and cooperation
which would most certainly make OF
them powerful confederacy of states
does not exist among the Latin Amer
ican republics, the individual opinion
of each one of those countries which
enjoys an independent form of self
government. seems to be of vital i'm
portance toward the ultimate success
of the treaty. Ever since the close OF
the World War, when the United State:
professed and actually stood ready tc
uphold and support the principle OF
equality of nations. the smaller ones
have become able to assert their rights
more freely and have been given a
respectable standing in world affairc
and many on that strength nave am
icably settled very delicate controversies
which the extreme attitude of the great
powers would have complicated and
perhaps brought about more or less
serious consequences to the peace. The
attention and respect today accorded
to the assertions of small countries
heretofore inconsequential, is unouea-
tionably a sign of advanced civiliza-
ton. Today each nation is to be con-
sidered an international unit.
Bright Economic Outlook.
In addition. aside from this moral
announcement. the Latin American
countries have during the past few
years acquired a great economic value.
A profitable and advantageous market
with a flattering future has been dis
covered in them. AS economic laws
are the subsurface currents which gov
ern international affairs. those coun-
tries, until recently little known or
forgotten, have come forth to assert
their sovereignty and take part in the
world debates side by side with the
other great powers. They have
reached their majority"
United. the opinions of the Latin
American countries would have decisive
weight. With q uniform and common
policy clearly defined and backed IN
every respect by the 20 sister repue-
lies. its influence in world affairs would
be far reaching. Unfortunately, those
nations have given no thought to po-
litical unifcation but devote them
selves instead to that inceSsant war
fare over old boundary lines and to
the sentimental feelings still yearning
troversies of little importance to the
rest of the world. There IS not q
greater and a more forceful proof OF
these discrepancies of judgment among
the South American countries than
their attitude toward the United states.
This attitude more than suffices to eX-
r,lain that that compact and homo
reneous Latin American political
strength" as yet does not exist.
Measuring u. S. Policies.
There are three different ways of
measuring the United States ponclcs
by the countries south OF the Rlo
Grande.
nv the continuous intrigue and propa-
randa of the communist elements. be-
iieve in American imperialism. They
fear the Unsuitable greediness OF wan
street which has been described TO them
as monstrous octopus and see IN
every investment of American capital
a new step toward the economic con-
uuest of South America. individuals
who are interested and cooperate IN
this propaganda make it point daily
to remind the people OF these 1earS
describing with unrestrained phantaSy
the not far distant slavery OF the Latin
American countries under the economic
predorninance of the north and holding
responsible the North American people
as whole for this state OF affairs
which might be the result OF unwar-
ranted dealings and omissions Of few
urscrupulous capitalists.
In Germany the Reds" availed them
selves of the existing hatred to the
monarchy to instill in the public MIND
their rebellious ideas; in China Of the
- 80 iyH AHnNinn
hatred to the church. and in Latlr
America they necessarily strive to cor.
rllpt the public mind with the hatred
To the United States menacing phan.
tom" Interventions in the interna
affairs of some of these countries, such
as the one effected in Nicaragua, have
greatly tended to strengthen these sus
picions AS a result we have to ac.
knowledge the existence of a concealed
. dif1dence and even a certain reac'
tionary attitude against the pan-Amer
lean policies in the most southerl!
countries of the continent. where tha
evil propaganda is more entrenched il
the dissemination of unrest in the mind
of the people.
This Attitude Not Universal.
Fortunately, however, this hostile
feeling is not prevalent among the ma
jority of the Latin American countrie
There still remains a sincere and vel
founded opinion which understands tn
benefits that would be derived from al
adopted policy which would bring abou
closer and more friendly relations will
the United States and one that vii
not attribute to the North American
continent those unfounded imperialisti
pretensionS. This is the discreet cri
oF 4.
closely analyze and understand the un
disputed tar-reaching benefits which
would be obtained from that great eco
nomic influence emanating from th
worlds Wealthiest nation. They vel
understand that the financial and eco
nomic cooperation of the Unite
States Is indispensable to the progres
ana prosperity Of these Latin American
countries which lack the means of ex
ploltati and development of their vas
natural resources. They do. there
lore. receive with open hands the ar
rival Of North American capital with
out attributing to this any dealings in
NolVng unfair Vaccinations from Wa
Street. They are sincere and friendl
pah-Amerlcan agents because they real
lze that the Americas need each othe
ana should Cooperate in their rela
tons. 1t is true that there exists
psychological difference in the politi
csl order OF affairs. but in time the eco
,,omlcal factors will accomplish tn
elimination of this difference, or q
least minimize it to a great extent. T
them so long as this financial infiuenc
will not surpass in importance or inter
fere with their political affairs or as
sumo menacing proportions, the pan
American ties of friendship will becom
closer day by day, for the closer the
become the greater will be the benefit
for all.
Look to q. S. for Help.
There are also several Latin Ameri
can countries which, because Of the
strategic position and proximity to tn