Evening star., 1928-09-30
ANTI-WAR PACT REACTION
SHOWS LATIN VIEW OF L. S.
Replies of Southern Republics, or Their
Silence on Treaty Signing, Reflect
Traditional Group Division.

in the meantime creditable advantage
from this and on the other hand from
the benefits of American investments,
they have decided to set aside their
old ScrupulousnesS and pride to GER
tain extent and today gladly accept the
economic tutelage of North America
This decision has been the result of
repeated loans and the investment of
great American capital. Those coun-
tries. realizing the enviable benefits de-
rived from this. no longer question the
United States economic leadership
They seek on the contrary, to solidify
it. because it means progress and pros
perity. They do not fear the economic
power of the United States. They de-
sire it. f---
1t is we'll known that in this country
of ours the economic and financial fac
tors predominant, and solely to their
exclusive influx is due the development
of the political relations of nations
| International politics are today but a
logical consequence of economic fac
| tors. It is no more than natural. there
| fore, that from the degree of the eco
nomic relations existing between the
| United States and the Latin American
countries and in the light in which they
are considered. their political attitude
toward the great northern republic
varies.
| An Unborn Suspicion.
The countries referred to as falling
under the first group, who are suspi-
ciouS of the Yankee imperialism, are
the ones which oppose and ignore the
advice and political suggestions of
Saxon America. There seems to be
| concealed predisposition against the
| Washington statesmen. The govern
ments Of these countries, in order not
to anger public opinion, are forced to
remain silent, cautious and ALWAYS
distant from everything that comes
| from or carries the sanction of the
north.
In the other republics where the
United States economic influence is
weighed only according to its own
worth. all the enlightened ideas ema-
mating from the United States leaders,
are received very favorably Their gov
ernmentS follow a discreet and well
balanced policy of cooperation with the
| State Department.
With respect to those countries where
| the United States influence has been
| accepted as fact, it is needless to say,
that the Washington policies are i'm
mediately reflected.
Consequently, the degree of good feel
ing among the Latin American govern
mentS toward the United States seems
to lie In direct accord with the inter-
vening distance that separates each one
of them from the North American
republic.
1t is to be gathered from the fore
going that the present attitude of
Latin America respecting the treaty for
the outlawry of war is but a mani
festation of that degree of esteem in
which the United States is held The
kellogg pact. being North American
idea and sponsored by the United States
as its own international scheme, has
been received by the Latin American
countries with that degree of enthu-
slasm that their feelings toward the
| United States may warrant. The re-
| plies made by the Latin American gov
ernmentS to the invitation extended to
| them by the State Department to ad-
! here to document of such transcen-
dental importance is but reflection of
| their attitude toward the political
views of Washington. These replies
should not be interpreted to mean only
that they agree or disagree with the
ideals of peace embodied in the treaty.
|
are demonstration of the existing in
4 ternational politics within the continent.
All on an Equal Footing.
All these countries we're under similar
circumstances to consider the invita-
ton of signing the pact. They had the
same opportunities to appreciate 70 the
Importance of the treaty. BY its clauses
they were all equally affected. From
all 1t demanded the same peace offer
ings and to all it promised equal ad-
vantages. There were no complications
TO be dealt with over prior compromises.
as was the case in Europe, nor had they
first to counterbalance that political
equilibrium which is the eternal prob
lem of the European powers. They
were all free and equally capable to
consider Mr.. Kellogg's project Not
withstanding that, the Latin American
governments have not in their replies,
preserved that same equality.
Cuba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and In
general all the small republics on the
Caribbean Sea were prompt in making
favorable replies. Others were more
slow to follow this example. but with
the same enthusiasm were the countries
Of the northern and central parts OF
South America--Colombia Peru. Ecua-
dor On the other hand, Argentina
Chile, Uruguay the most southern
Latin America thus divide themselves
III their reaction to the Kellogg treaty
into the same groups in which their
attitude toward the United StataS III
other matters long since has placed
them.
Analysis of These Groups.
The first group of those nations
which because of their economical ties
are more likely to be affected by any
political move made by the United
States, have unquestionably and with
out delay offered their adhesion. Those
Of the second group have also gladly
given theirs. There was no provision in
the treaty prejudicial to them. If they
chose not to recognize its great ad-
vantage. because they did not believe
in the good faith in which it was in
spired, they could not have criticized
it, for the idea to abolish war, such as
/, it appears in the treaty. offers nothing
but benefits to all, even though at the
Hpresent time they may be Just moral
ones. Nevertheless. Argentina, Chile
Uruguay. have not as yet made reply
Why should the Argentine Republic
the most important nation in South
America delay its decision? Her atti.
tude is certainly not an indication ol
: unfrierdliness toward the United
States. 1t is far from being belliger-
: ant one. though its press severely op.
poses the treaty The truth of it is
| that Argentina is at the present mo-
; ment heading that Latinist movement
= of South America which in a way ha:
been provoked by certain fear of the
Yankee imperialism, as we'll as by SOM
llasty measures adopted by the United
States leaders on the Caribbean Sea
The Argentine Republic, which, becausc
of its industrial and 's'litical progress
has placed itself in pt1ition of leader.
ship among the Latin American coun.
tries; endeavors day by day perma'