The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-12-15

the sad record of the relations be-
tween the United States and the
governments of the countries to
the south of us can really appre-
ciate the epochal change that
President Roosevelt has brought
to the inter-American scene"
So wrote David Lawrence one
of the Presidents severest critics
so far as domestic policy is con-
cerned-in the United States
News of November 80.
About all the average citizen
knows about U. S. foreign policy
as related to the other countries
in this hemisphere is that it is gov
erned by something celebrated and
vague called the Monroe Doctrine.
Probably not one citizen in fifty
could accurately tell yea what the
Monroe Doctrine provides. And
probably not one. citizen in hum
dred realizes that the Doctrine has
been virtually a dead letter for
several years and, as we'll, has
caused a vast amount of unfriend-
ly feeling toward this country in
the Republics to the south.
Briefly and roughly described,
the Monroe Doctrine meant that
the United States would not per-
nit any European government to
take over territory in Latin Amer
ica-that the u. S. would act as
big Brother" in protecting Lat
in American territorial rights as
well as its own. This seemed fair
enough-but the Doctrine had not
been in effect long before discOrd
arose. More than a century ago,
Brazil requested that the Doctrine,
in David Lawrence's words, "be
made international, that it become
a sort of offensive and defensive
alliance in which all Latin coun-
tries should join with the United
States in keeping European arm
les and navies out of this part of
the world. /" That request was
refused, as were similar requests
made periodically in later years.
Consequently, the Latin Repub-
lies came to feel, rightly or wrong
ly, that the u. S. was taking ad-
vantage of the Doctrine to rule
their countries. This feeling was
strengthened by sending q. S. ma
rines south whenever trouble ap-
peared in a Latin American ma
ton.
There are no marines in Latin
America n0w-and it seems doubt
full if any will be sent there again.
1t is a curious Fact that both Hoo
yer and Roosevelt took the initia-
tive in withdrawing the last of
these agents of what Latin Ameri-
ca considered t'U. S. Imperialism"
No longer does Washington take
the position that it will back up
any foreign ventures of American
citizens with armed force if neces-
sary. Our citizens now travel in
Latin America at their own risk,
and are subject to the laws of the
countries where they go. Diplom-
acy will be used to help them in
diffieulties-but not force. In 9th
err words, their status is exactly
the same as if travelling in Eng
land, France and other European
countries.
What is the result of all this!
In the eyes of many American OBJ
servers, the result will be a
genuine feeling of friendliness
for us on the part of the Repub-
lies to the southland there are
signs that such a feeling is now
developing, though much sus-
picion remains. There is also the
hope that dormant trade will be
revived, and that by example the
Western hemisphere viii show the
world how nations can live with
out war, settling differences by
amicable conferences. Further.
more. it is hoped that treaties viii
be effected whereby European
powers wishing war materials vii
find the raw material markets OF
North and South America-thf
greatest in the world-firmly
closed to them.
Mr.. Roesevelt's speech at the
recent Pan-American conference
is generally considered one of the
best he has ever made-he han
died a delicate task well. Credit
for the groundwork is given tc
Secretary Hull, who has spent his
public life working quietly fol
peace, and for better commercial
and diplomatic relations between
powers.
Business Week has published an
interesting chart showing the husi-