Evening star., 1933-09-03
ean-American Problems

can-American Problems
Uruguay. which Will be hcA q the
Seventh PAN American Conference. has
lust issued a formal invitation to the
twenty -one American republics to con-
vene at Montevideo in December "in
the interest Of fraternal reciprocity"
and adds: The exceptional gravity Of
this hour gives the assemblage of the
American nations an importance never
equaled. Economic interdependence
will be examined at Montevideo sin
cerely and profoundly. America can
and must discover new road to inter-
nal and external stability. Political and
economic peace progress together"
The people and Government of the
United States heartily echo these SEN
timents. We are prepared to do our
part-in the language Of the hour here
at Washington-to convert Pan-Amer-
ican aspirations into practical accom-
plishments. The development of inter-
American trade has recently become a
jor policy Of the Roosevelt admins
tration. based, as 1t is on the Presi-
dents good neighbor" program toward
icy Association bulletin emphasizes the
desirability of overcoming certain
psychological barriers of mistrust" In
the nations to the South if the problem
of cementing relations with them is to
be approached with any real promise of
success. These barriers are the result,
at least in part. Of past policies pursued
by the United States in the Caribbean
area.
The practice OF periodical American
Intervention in Central America and
the West Indies long excited opposi-
ton. which came clearly to the surface
In the Sixth Pan-American Conference
at Havana in 1928 second cause of
criticism has been the exercise Of fnan-
cial control over certain Caribbean
countries by American officials Finally
the Washington policy Of Withholding
recognition from revolutionary govern
ments, applied to Central America since
1907 and for a time extended to South
America. has aroused resentment.
Since the days of so-called North
American imperialism" there have been
notable changes in the United States
attitude. For one thing. intervention
II oOfuo tal,
to become chronic was definitely
terminated. A continuance of the new
attitude Is to be seen in the scheduled
withdrawal by November l. 1884. Of
United States Marines from Haiti
These developments respecting Nicar-
aqua and Haiti should materially en-
hance the prospects of success at
Montevideo. Late events in Cuba.
especially the avoidance of American
intervention, are also designed to i'm
prove Uncle Sans reputation with
the Latin republics although our
prompt recognition of the new Havana
government. which came into power as
the result OF an army coup and gen.
eral strike. may require reconsideration
of the policy to be followed in the
matter Of revolutionary government.
In 1923 five Central American states
entered into treaty whereby it was
agreed that governments established by
unconstitutional methods should be
denied recognition. The United States
acting through President Coolidge and
Secretary Hughes, assented to that
treaty in principle. Subsequently two
of the Central American countries de-
nounced the treaty.
While Cuba was not party to the
1923 pact. our acknowledgment of the
essentially revolutionary new govern
ment at Havana. the Foreign Policy
Association points out, reveals the
discrimination involved in the policy of
the United States toward Central
America" There is sure to be voiced
at Montevideo a demand for a new
deal anent recognition of governments
which are changed by the bullet rather
than by the ballot If the demand is
pressed, it will indicate that Latin
America does not think the era has al
ready dawned when governments will
come and go exclusively by reason OF
the popular will expressed in free
elections"