Evening star., 1936-11-18
MIR. Roosevelt Goes South.

President Roosevelt's departure for
Buenos Aires, to attend the opening ses-
sion Of the Inter-American Conference
for the Maintenance of Peace denotes
the far-reaching importance which the
United States attaches to the forthcom-
ing assemblage of the twenty-one Amer
ican republics. The conference will be
notable beyond any preceding Pan
American meeting, not only because of
the vital contents of its agenda, but on
account of the extraordinarily distin-
guished caliber Of its personnel. Only
once before-at Havana, in l928-have
all of the Americas been represented at
such gathering.
Rejecting the fervent hope Of real
achievements, each state is sending its
best available men to Buenos Aires.
Eleven of the twenty-one delegations,
like that of the United States, will be
under the craftsmanship of cabinet min
listers in charge of foreign affairs. Among
other participants will be three under
secretaries for foreign affairs, dozen
former foreign ministers and several
delegates who at one time were Presi-
dents of Latin American republics. Many
delegates are seasoned veterans of earlier
Pan-American conferences. From the
standpoint of personalities, Buenos Aires
will be the scene of an unparalleled pool
ing of the best minds the Western
Hemisphere possesses in the particular
field of craftsmanship to which the con-
cumstance there is sound augury OF
success.
Mr. Roosevelt takes ship for Argentina
in the assurance that the conference will
meet in an atmosphere altogether novel
In inter American relations. Never be-
fore has there been so genuine an atti-
tude of Latin American confidence and
friendship toward the once widely mis-
trusted Colossus of the North. For the
creation of this new deal in Pan-Ameri-
canisrn President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary Hull may claim chief credit. 1t is
the good neighbor policy initiated under
their constructive auspices that is mainly
responsible for the revised conception
of the United States now prevalent be-
yond the Rio Grande. Withdrawal OF
Marines from Haiti, abrogation of the
Platt amendment, remuneration of the
United States purpose to NEEDLE in
Latin Americas domestic affairs and
negotiation of reciprocal trade treaties
are developments which have combined
to give Uncle Sam the cleanest bill OF
health he has ever enjoyed in the
other Americas. That is another factor
that presages satisfactory results at
Buenos Aires.
It was for these various reasons that
the Latin republics last Winter promptly
and heartily approved President Roose-
velt's proposal Of the impending con-
ference. BY their cordial acceptance
they signified full sympathy with his
underlying hope and purpose
that the free democracies OF the West
should take advantage of their oppor-
tunity to set q fear ridden world be-
yond their shores a timely example Of
fraternity and cooperation, to the end
that war may be banished as an instru-
ment of international policy and the
reign of peace established more securely
everywhere. This is Mr.. Roosevelts
paramount objective. It's realization is
certain to be promoted by the Presidents
decision to lend the prestige of his per-
sonal presence to the Buenos Aires
conclave.