Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-11
BY CAPT. DUDLEY w. KNOX,
United States Navy. Retired.

to Brazil will terminate dtplo-
matte effort which has been of |
the highest Importance and mu-
ttlal beneflt TO both countries during |
the last IL. years. The intimate rela- |
tionShip between the two navies has |
had far-reaching reactions Of respect, |
understanding and good win, which |
have formed the basis Of o rapidly ex- |
panding economic intercourse also.
Until the late war the proverbial sus- |
picion and dislike Of the United States |
which was 30 widespread IN South |
America seemed TO be fed by per-
sistent propaganda of European origin, |
with commercial advantage as the prime |
motive. The Monroe Doctrine, grossly |
distorted from . sincere and mutually |
protective policy into an instrument of
perf1dy and covert aggression, was per-
petually served up as bugaboo.
A suitable background was supplied |
by reports Of murders. lynchings and
business dishonesty, TO which news |
items from the United states were lin
tied In the South American press as
the best possible advertising against
business relations between the two
countries.
Navy EnissaFy Of Peace.
The corToding influence of such q
state of mind upon, international good
will and friendly relations is painfully
evident. Its correction Is possible only
through personal contacts and whole
some intercourse Of q nature to con-
stantly refute the outrageous misrepre-
sensations which have caused 50 much
pan-An1erican mischief for 50 many
decades.
This has been the great mission of
the United States Navy In South Amer
lea since 1918. It's employment there
has provided one of the best examples
of the utility of naval forces as instru-
mentS Of diplomacy and good will, as
emissaries Of peace and commercial In
tercourse, as promoters OF trade, no less
transportation and national business \
and prosperity.
Overcame Rivals Propaganda.
Soon after the United States entered
the World War Admiral Caperton was
sent to South America with q squadron
OF United States cruisers, not merely
to protect allied trade against the oc-
casional German raider, but principally
to overcome the menace Of continual
German propaganda and influence,
which had been q source of great anx-
1ety to the allies since 1914. The Ger
mans had large groups of colonies in
South America, besides strong CONNER
| cial connections, and the known pro-
German proclivities Of Spain had fur
ther' reactions Of great value to- them
throughout Spanish America.
Admiral CepertoH's diplomatic sue
ceS was immediate and remarkable. He
was received with ovations in every
capital, which amounted not only to
personal triumph, but also q national
achievement, the Importance of which
was too little recognized at the time
overshadowed as it was by the gripping
course of the Great War. No American
ever matched the popularity of Admiral
Caperton in The Southern continent, nor
made greater contribution to our pres
tige and friendships there.
Officers Became Advisers.
It was largely in consequence Of his
good will cruise that the first group of
American naval officers, headed by
Capt. VogelgeSang were sent as advisers
TO the Brazilian navy in March, 1918
This marked no innovation, from the
standpoint Of South America, where
foreign military and naval missions have
been common for many years as adj
junctS OF European diplomacy and trade,
no less than aids to Latin American
| lighting efficiency.
OF course, the custom Of strong pow
erS sending such missions to small
countries anteG.Ates the foundation of
South American republics, as 1t has been
practiced in Europe in early days. It's
beginnings in South America may be
| considered as coincident with the reVolu-
tons which resulted In the independ-
ence Of Chile, PERU and Brazil, in which
the British admiral, Lord Cochrane,
took such . prominent part.
Europeans Send Missions.
The prevalence of the custom is indi-
Gated by the number of such European
missions in Latin America since the
World War when France has had eight |
missions, England two, Italy two, Spain |
three, Germany two, Austria one and |
Switzerland one The South American |
countries which have received these mis- |
sions include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, |
Feru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Para |
quay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Guatemala |
and Salvador
mission in both Brazil and Peru. Our |
apathy toward them is in contrast with |
the attitude OF some of the European |
powers who have shown considerable |
rivalry ernong themselves, even TO the |
point OF lodging diplomatic protests |
against each other to the country re-
celV1ng European mission.
49, S0hAS 0GyS ~ WAS IlDJ u0uSlIAl |
tor foreign ofncerS to participate in
Latin American wars, the above mem
TONED case OF Lord Cochrane being per-
maps the most notable example. IN IsIs
tnree American naval officers obtained |
leave OF absence from our Navy and took
parG In Uruguayan revolt against the
mother country But nowadays this is
rarely If ever done.
American Officers Neutral.
The contracts for the missions uni
VerSaliy provide that the foreign ON
GERS snail not be expected or required
70 engage in warfare. whether external
or internal, and the general infiuence
OF American mission, at least is in
the direction OF peace rather than
war.
During the life Of our recent mission
10 Brazil there have been two serious
revolutions, In both Of which the Bra
lillian Navy has been seriously in
vowed, yet the American officers at
Lacned to our mission have success
fully preserved the strictest neutrality
and restraint from any act which
might be considered Objectionable by
either side.
In Peru there has been one revolu-
ton while we have had a naval mis-
sion there, and its American oficer
members have been similarly scrupu-
lous in their neutrality. There was
one ex-American naval oficer who
had resigned from the United States {
service and regularly entered the ;
Peruvian Navy. He distributed coun-
ter-revolutionary leaflets by airplane,
for which he was brought to trial by
the Peruvian authorities. But those
serving IN the dual capacity of mem
the United States Navy remained
wholly neutral and took M mart In the