Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-10

to peaceful methods of settling con-
troversies is the establishment OF Ju-
dicial or arbitral systems by which such
controversies can be thus settled. Amer
lea was pioneer in this movement
and has participated in some of the
most important arbitrations OF history,
The State Department Is engaged in
carrying on this work. The statute
providing for our adherence to the
World Court has been signed by this
Government, and that treaty awaits
the confirmation Of the Senate. Dur
ing the past two years we have exc
cuted 18 treaties of arbitration or con-
Citation with other countries, IL of
which are already in force and the re-
mainder awaiting some final step lead
ing to exchange of notifications. Dur
ing the same period, under the various
treaties of arbitration or Cancellation to
which we have been parties, six, arbi-
trat!ons have been successfully carried
through and decisions reached. Be-
tween the United States and Germany
and between the United States and
Mexico two arbitral claims commits /
sions have BEEN busily passing upon
and disposing of the claims arising out |
of the Great War on the one hand and
those arising out of the revolutions in
Mexico on the ether. In the case OF
Germany particularly rapid progress
has been made and practically all of
some 10000 claims have been disposed
of by the commission, with awards in
favor of American citizens of over $780,
100000.
But the settlement of controversies
by arbitration, while the most con-
spicuouS is by no means the only or
even the most effective. method by which
quarrels between nations are adjusted
or prevented For every controversy that
ripenS into a law case many others are
either prevented or settled by the cul-
tivation of good will between nations
or by the patient negotiation and dis
cussion of their representatives. This
Is the great business of diplomacy. This
is the matter which occupies most of
the time, efforts and care of the State
Department. The Secretary of State
and our Ambassadors and Ministers, in
cooperation with the representatives
of the other nations of the world are
working day after day and in all parts
OF the globe in endeavoring to smooth
away sore spots and causes of misun-
derstanding and to adjust the griev-
ances which the citizens of one coun-
try may have against the government
or citizens of another. 1t is work which
rarely comes to the attention of the
public or occupies headlines in the
press. But it constitutes the solid
foundation upon which the friendly re-
lations Of the world rest and upon
which international business through
out the world is being conducted and
made possible. Honest people in one
nation find it VIGOROUSLY difficult to
understand the viewpoint of honest
people in another. State departments
and their ministers exist for the purpose
of translating the viewpoints of one
nation into the terms understood by
another. Some Of our most important
work and effort at the present time
lies in this direction.
Latin America as Example.
will take, for example, our rela-
tons with the 20 republics of Latin
America. Good relations with those
nations constitute one Of the cardinal
tenets of our foreign policy. We are
all republics. We have inherited to-
gether a new hemisphere, and for the
last century we have been developing,
under similar conditions of freedom
from caste and social distinction, COM
mon aims in democracy of government
With the succeeding decades, constantly
increasing trade with these American
neighbors, as well as a gradual devel-
opment of intercourse in cultural rela-
tons, have been producing an i'm
portant pan-American solidarity in
this Western Hemisphere. 1t is a growth
big with promise for the future benefit
of the whole world.
Yet this beneficent development has
been retarded by several historic sore
spots which have been obstinately in
terfering with the growth Of good will
and friendly relations between us and
our neighbors to the South. Bitter
memories arising out of former differ
ences with Mexico, the occupation by
our forces of Haiti under treaty with
that nation made in 1916; the presence
of our Marines in Nicaragua, though
there at the request of her government
and for the purpose of assisting her in
the training of her constabulary have
all suffered distortion in South Amer
lea unwarranted by these events as wei
understand them. Each has been used
by the enemies and critics Of the United
States as proof positive that we are an
imperialistic people prone to use our
power in subverting the independence
OF our neighbors. And these accusa-
tons, however unjustif1able, have dam
aged our good name, our credit and our
trade far beyond the apprehension of
our own people.
The State Department is addressing
Itself seriously and successfully toward
the removal of these sore spots. In
March, 1929, when a military insurrec-
ton broke out against the government
OF Mexico, we rendered to her promptly
and cordially such assistance as was
proper and appropriate under the law
Of nations; and relations with Mexico
have been better ever since that action
than for II years past.
Commission Sent to Haiti.
In February, 1880. we sent the Forbes
Commission to Haiti to devise a plan
looking toward the termination Of our
occupation and the removal of our
vestigation and report Of that COM
mission. we have been steadily and
rapidly turning over TO the people of
Haiti the management of their own
affairs.
In January, 1929. there were over
5000 American Marines and naval
forces in Nicaragua. BY February /,
1881, that number has been reduced to
less than 1900 On February Is, after
consultation between the government
OF Nicaragua the Marine commander
OF the Nicaraguan National Guard and
the Secretary of State, plan was an
nounced and put into effect providing
for the completion Of the instruction
OF the Nicaraguan National Guard and |
the orderly and safe removal of all of |
the remaining American training forces
by the Autumn of 1892, thus finally re-
moving All American soldiers from the
soil of that republic. In spite OF the
difficulties that have been and may be
caused by outlaw activities in that
country, we are proceeding, and intend |
to proceed, with this plan. We have no
intention Of removing from American
citizens in Nicaragua the protection
which American citizens are entitled |
and accustomed TO receive under the /
law Of nations. BY assisting the gov
eminent of Nicaragua to organize and