Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-26
/. G.. M.

d
facts, views, impressions, not only by
way of official routine, but along a
thousand sidelines as well. Here he
saw a people behind whom stretched a
canvas of suggestive history. Here a
racial blend, significant in source and
potential in promise. Here were nat
ural resources, abundant and useful, as
yet but scantily developed as stable and
profitable industry, as homes and edu-
cation, as a social content of sound aim
and progressive habit. Here were ideas
of government working into practice.
Here was a positive ideal of self-goV-
eminent. Here were leaders and many
who would be leaders. But it was the
people, always the people, who engaged
the deep interest of this American
commissioner. Through those three
years of public service Mr.. Welles must
have done fine job of looking and
listening. in the between-Whiles Of
purely official activity. Then he came
home, his kit bullying with facts and
ideas concerning the people OF the
island where he had been. He must
have said that with this material and
that available from the archives of the
State Department nothing short of a
book on the subject Of the Dominican
Republic would round his service both
to the people of this country and to the
Latin Americans as well.
And here Is ''Naboth's Vineyard
two big volumes, summing to more
than thousand pages-in answer tc
such wise decision on the part OF Sum-
ner Welles.
In specific purpose this study centers
upon the history of the Dominican Re-
public as such. But nothing stands
alone. Nothing leaps full-powered into
being. There are approaches toward
such fulfillment. There are recesSions
and new trials, many of them, before
the finally accomplished end. And al
of these bear upon the nature of any
issue. So it is here. Therefore the au-
thor goes back into the earlier years OF
Santo Domingo, back into those years
when the European Ahabs - Spanish
French. English-under many spe-
cious claim reached covetous hands to-
ward this little island vineyard OF
Naboth.
So. somewhat despoiled by encroach-
ments from without. and certainly
marred in the trustful outlook of It's
people upon the rest of the world, the
republic enters upon its career of SELF
government. This career becomes the
prime concern of Mr.. Welles. He ex-
amines 1t in an intelligence which
knows exactly where 1t is going and
which along the way shirks no degree
of painstaking nor neglects to make use
of his own special equipment for the
work in hand.
Set down in detail here, the story of
the Dominican Republic is one of storm
and stress. The racial blood is hot and
tempestuous in its sudden outbursts.
Rebellions against tyranny have worked
for instability of political purpose and
action. Here are leaders, some OF them
fine, some of them Self-seeking. To
both sorts Mr.. Welles gives full atten-
ton, paying high tribute where 1t is
due and delivering adverse judgment
where this, too, Is due. To new peo-
pie unschooled in the collective self
control needed for republican form OF
government. much depends upon the
good substance and quality of the lead
ers. So 1t does here. And to this fact
the author pays full attention, as he
does to every other considerable ele-
ment entering into the Santo Domingo
experiment.
Just as in old Bible times. external
covetousness directed upon the country
appears to be the evil genius of this
new people. A new sort of Ahab comes
speedily to the front in these later days.
This Is righteous Ahab, not come to
take possession of this new Naboth's
vineyard. but to take possession of Ma
both himself. directing his every act
for his own good, in the true Puritan
way. This new interferer IS none other
than the United States itself. And here,
In effect at least, the story shifts front.
While all the time it holds to the per-
sonal history of the republic, 1t does
this by study of our own country IN
its bearing and in its actions toward
the Dominican Republic, and, by i'm
plication, to all of Latin America.
At this point Mr.. Welles reviews a
most important chapter of our own his
tory-a chapter likely to be forgotten
by the general reader This goes back
to the day Of jefferson. Adams, Madi-
son, Monroe and Henry Clay, all jealous
for some measure of protection for the
whole Western Hemisphere from Euro
pean ambition. Out of 1t came the
Monroe Doctrine, with this object as its
only aim. Then less StateSmanly men
came to the front. And slowly there
came talk of annexation. With one
President it was the annexation of this
very island that stirred the gahful
streak in the Nation. Under such a
view there came to the countries to the
south that distrust which is still alive
and that reinterpretation of the Mon
roe Doctrine as an instrument pointed
against them and not for them.
From this point Mr.. Welles devotes
himself vigorously and forthrightly to
the imperial policy bequeathed to the
United States by virtue of the Spanish
American War. Granting by and large
that this country is not inimical, not
possessed Of Interior motive in respect
to Its outlying dependencies. Mr.. Welles
cites by name and attitude and act one
and another of those in power who
have, by official action, created both
distrust and hatred toward this country
by large part of Latin America. No.
he does not assign to these imperial
designs. Not at all. Instead they are
of the kidney of the Puritan, certain
| of their elect standing, sure that they
or we, this country-are of the perfect
pattern that makes for long life and
perfection. Rather temperamental
failing than one inhering in the office
of Secretary of State or other high
source of decision and action. Set of
against these-only handful of them
Mr.. Welles points with pride and
enthusiasm to the craftsmanship OF
Elihu Root and Charles Evans Hughes
in their understanding of international
righteousness, a thing that has nothing
at all to do with personal piety. The
crest of Sumner Welles work comes
with this turning upon us. upon this
| country, in our attitude toward oul
! neighbors. Comes here for the reason
that here we may each get in touch
with business that is clearly the bust
ness of every one in country whose
political persuasion is like that of our
own. And the first step in that bust
| ness Is to know, to have definite and
exact information on the subject that
is under discussion. Here Is one OF
fhnSa SllhiectS Here lie a treatment