Evening star., 1934-04-15

a NO4I1GIb NAoy
" was observed yesterday at
~ Washington. The celebration
n was a gay one. Due to recent
developments in the Latin
American policy of the United States,
there was more reason this April IA
to believe and rejoice in the friendship
of the two Americas than in any pre-
viou5 year since the day was set aside
for that purpose.
Yet Pan-Americanism itself is just
as much of a dream today as it has
been in the past. If anything, the
existence of an armed conflict between
two of the members Of the Pan-Amer-
ican family Of nations and the futility
of the others rather mild attempts to
stop it seem to indicate the Pan
American movement is at one of it's
lowest ebbS.
Two Viewpoints.
The contradiction between these two
statements may be understood by diff
ferentiating the two kinds of Pan
Americanism which are meant. If
one has in mind the real significance
of Pan-Americanism-t is, the de-
gree of understanding, harmony and
mutual cooperation prevailing among
all the American republics-the con-
clusion cannot be avoided-sad and
disheartening as it may be-that
April IA should have been this year
a day of mourning.
On the other hand, If by Pan-Amer-
icanism is meant, as it generally is,
the amount of good will and friend
ship existing between the United
States and the Latin American coun-
tries, there were this time justifiable
grounds for celebrations and for op-
timistic predictions on American
day.
1t is this latter conception. Of course,
which predominates in the public
mind when the term Pan-Amer-
icanism is mentioned. Because it is
SO, and because the celebration of
Pan-American day of which we are
writing took place in the Capital Of
the United States. let US consider
Pan-Americanism. for the purposes of
this editorial, only in so far as it
concerns the relations CT the United
States with the Latin American re-
publics.
In this sense Of Pan-Americanism,
the year elapsed since the previous
observance Of Pan-American day has
been fruitful one.
Roosevelt Proclamation.
On April IA. 1888. President Roose-
welt dedicated this Nation to the
policy of "the good neighbor" in its
relations with the other countries Of
the Western Hemisphere. The good
neighbor, he said, was the ''neighbor
who respects himself and because he
does SO respects the rights of Others
He stated emphatically that 'the in
dependence of each American republic
must recognize the independence of
every other American republic" and,
by declaring that the Monroe Doctrine
was merely one of continental self
defense" he disavowed the misinter-
pretations and corollaries Of it which
in the past had served imperialistic
aims.
In the light Of the last few decades
of inter American history. and in
comparison with previous pronounce
ments of Chief Executives and Secre-
taries of State of the United States.
those utterances of President Roose-
welt meant a great deal. Throughout
Latin America they were acclaimed
enthusiastically and began to exert
some influence in removing the sus-
picion and resentment created by
earlier mistaken policies.
Invited 70 Confereuca
Almost at the same time President
Roosevelt and Secretary Hull ex-
pressed their interest in promoting
inter-American trade and invited rep
reSentativeS of various Latin Ameri-
can governments to discuss in Wash
ington the basis for closer economic
links. Although nothing material has
yet come out of this avowed desire TO
increase the economic relationships of
the United States with the Southern
countries, the constancy and determi-
nation of Secretary Hull in promising
the Latin Americans new trade
deal-which climaXed at the Monte
video parley-have gone long way
toward gaining their good will and
thus preparing the way for more
practical results
Then came President Roosevelt's
peace proposal to the heads CT gov
ernments throughout the world, in
which he suggested that no nation
should be allowed to send armed
forces beyond their frontiers. In
Latin America, where the memory of
United States interventions was still
fresh, that was interpreted as a fur
ther assurance that Washington had
finally laid down the big stick" of
former days.
In August, as If to bear out the
sincerity of his intentions, President
Roosevelt announced the conclusion
of an agreement with Haiti for the
withdrawal, the following year, of
United States Marines there on duty
for the enforcement of financial
treaties between the two countries.
Although the agreement left many
Objectionable features in United