Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-07
j. S. POLICY UPHELD
IN LATIN AMERICA
Stimson Explains Change in
Wilson Stand-DefendS
Monroe Doctrine.
Continued From First Page.)


was an assertion of their individual
rights as independent nations. 1t de-
clared to the world that this independ-
ence was so vital to our own safety that
we would be willing to fight for ii
against an aggressive Europe The
Monroe Doctrine was a declaration of
the United States versus Europe-not OF
the United States versus Latin America.
People are sometimes prone to forget
our long and honorable fulfillment of
this policy toward our younger sister
nations. 1t was our action which OBJ
tanned the withdrawal of French i'm
perialism from Mexico. It was our
influence which provided for the return
from Great Britain of the Bay Islands
to Honduras and the Mosquito Coast,
including Greytown, to Nicaragua
1t was our pressure which secured the
arbitration CT 10 Boundary dispute be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela and
which later secured by arbitration the
solution of serious disputes between
Venezuela, Germany and Italy. Be-
tween the republics themselves our
influence has constantly been exerted
for a friendly solution of controversies
which might otherwise mar their indie
pendent and peaceful intercourse. To
speak only of recent matters, / may
refer to the long-standing Tacna-Aric
dispute between Chile and Peru and the
open clash between Bolivia and Para
quay. During the past seven years our
good Offices have resulted in the settle
ment of boundary disputes between IL
countries of this hemisphere.
Vital to National Safety.
Furthermore, the difficulties which
have beset the foreign policy Of the
United States in carrying out these
principles cannot be understood without
the comprehension of a geographical
fact. Even before human hands had
pierced the isthmus with a seagoing
canal that route was vital to our ma
tional interest. Since the Panama
Canal has become an accomplished fact,
It has been not only the vital artery Of
our coastwise commerce but, as we'll the
link in our national defense which pre-
tectS the defensive power of our fleet.
One cannot fairly appraise American
policy toward Latin America or fully
appreciate the standard which 1t has
maintained without taking into con-
sideration all of the elements of which
1t is the resultant.
Like the rocks which mark the sur
face of steady river current, all of the
facts and circumstances which / have
outlined have produced ripples in the
current of our steady policy toward the
Latin American republics. Some of
them have resulted in temporary intru-
sions into the domestic affairs of some
of those countries, which our hostile
critics, have not hesitated to characterize
as the manifestation of a selfish Amer
ican imperialism. I am clear that a
calm historical perspective will refute
that criticism and will demonstrate that
the international practice of this Gov
eminent in the Western Hemisphere
has been asserted with much reader
recognition of the legal rights of all the
countries with which we have been in
contact than has been the prevalent
practice in any other part Of the world
Policy OF Recognition.
The practice of this country as to
the recognition of new governments
has been substantially uniform from
the days OF the administration of
Secretary of State jefferson in 1892
to the days Of Secretary. of State
Bryan in 1913. There were certain
slight departures from this policy during
the Civil War. but they were manifestly
due to the exigencies of warfare and
were abandoned Immediately afterward.
This general policy, as thus observed
was to base the act of recognition not
upon the question of the constitutional
legitimacy of the new government. but
upon its de facto capacity to fulfill its
obligations as a member of the family
Of nations. This country recognized
the right of other nations to regulate
their own internal affairs of govern
ment and diSclaimed any attempt to
base its recognition upon the correctness
OF their constitutional action.
With the advent of President Wilson's
administration this policy of over a
century was radically departed from in
respect to the Republic of Mexico.
Refused to Recognize Huerta.
Mr.. Wilson'S government sought to
put this new policy into effect in respect
to the recognition of the then govern
torlano Huerta. Although Huerta's gov
eminent was in de facto possession. Mr..
Wilson refused to recognize it and he
sought through the influence and pres
sure OF his great Office to force 1t from
power Armed conflict followed with
the forces of Mexico and disturbed rela-
tons between us and that republic
lasted until a comparatively few years
ago.
The present administration has re-
fused to follow the policy of Mr.. Wilson
and has followed consistently the former
practice OF this Government since the
days OF Jefferson. AS soon as it was
reported to us, through our diplomatic
representatives. that the new govern
mentS in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina,
Brazil and Panama were in control of
the administrative machinery of the
state, with the apparent general acqui-
escence of their people, and that they
were willing and apparently able to dis
charge their international and conven-
tlonal obligations, they were recognized
by our Government. And in view of the
economic depression, with the conse-
quent need for prompt measures of
financial sterilization, we did this with
as little delay as possible in order to
give those sorely-pressed countries the
quickest possible opportunities for recov-
ering their economic poise.
Different Situation Exists.
Such has been our policy in all cases
where international practice was not
affected or controlled by pre-existing
treaty. In the five republics of Central
Amerlca-Guatemala Hondura6, Saliva
dor, Nicaragua and Costa Rica-how-
ever, we have found an entirely different