Evening star., 1936-09-17

of articles on the "Nete PGn-Amer-
icanism" and the coming BuenoS
Aires Peace CongresS.)
BY BRENT DOW ALLINSON.
II the new Pan-Americanism is to
become a moving force in the political
life and consciousness of the New
World, it must mean something more
than Sunday shibboleth of Latin
American politicos and dictators or
North American diplomats and dema-
gogues.
More than q periodic conference Of
governments, it must become popular
conception, until the people them
selves feel they are functioning part
of an enlarged political entity, breath
ing the spirit of an altered attitude
toward the other affiliated American
peoples. 1t means the substitution Of
loyal international thinking and feeling
for selfish and short-sighted ma
tionalist emotion. Such is the sub
stance of what the leaders of the
Mexican labor movement are think
&lS dliu Saying dpOut w.
Three questions recently submitted
to DR.. Vincente Lombardo Toledano,
acknowledged leader of the Mexican
trade union movement, through an
intermediary, DR.. William E. Zeuch OF
Black Mountain College, N. c.. drew
forth candid and cogent answers.
Heads Mexican Labor Unit.
Dr. Toledano, secretary general of
the Confederation de TrabajadoreS de
Mexico, which claims a membership
of more than 100000 industrial
workers, is generally recognized as the
chief Of the socially constructive labor
forces, whose ability and integrity are
respected and feared even by the
reactionary elements Of old Mexico.
The first question put to DR.. Tole-
dano personally, and to which he re-
turned written reply, was: What
does Mexican labor think of the pro-
posed Pan-American Conference at
Buenos Aires this Fall and what good
does it expect from it?"
1--WE think" he replied, that if this
OOCS llOU ClCdlC ran.
American League of Nations for the
especial benefit, or particular profit, of
the economic masters of the United
States, but really attempts to unite the
peoples of the Western Hemisphere
and not merely the governments in an
exemplary and functioning association,
honestly opposed to war, much good
will result; and that there ought to be
invited to it all sections, representative
of the classes and the masses of the
people in every republic The Latin
American peoples, it is necessary to
state in all frankness, discount profess
sional diplomacy greatly and distrust
the mental reservations which often
nullify international treaties that are
entered into without full public knowl-
edge and approval. The conference
proposed by President Roosevelt is a
magnificent opportunity to satisfy the
popular desires of our more than 20
peoples, sometime to enter into the
discussion and direction of their own
destinies." ~ as'f
"Good Neighbor" Policy.
The second question, to which DR..
Toledano returned an equally direct
reply. was:
What does Mexican labor think of
the good neighbor' policy. as pro-
claimed at Washington"
I'VE hope that it may work out in
the literal meaning of the term" he
answered. THE best neighbo~ is one
who does not interfere in another's
home, even when those who occupy it
live by customs different from their
own. There is biological tendency in
strong individuals and countries to re-
gard human questions in relation to
ones own values and to impose these
values and customs upon others. Since
the United States constitutes the one
first-class power in the Western Hemi-
sphere, the good neighbor' policy has
an added significance. The good
neighbor, to repeat, is one who does
not interfere in the private affairs of
the house next door,"
The third question was: What is
the attitude of Mexican labor toward
President Roosevelt and his New
Oeal?
DR.. Toledano replied: 1.-THE C. T. M.
considers that the attitude of Presi-
dent Roosevelt possesses great signifi-
canoe for it, in that it appears to
support and justify the program and
aims of the organized working masses
and Labor parties in all parts of the
world, and because it condemns, for
the first time in the history of Presi-
dents of the United States, economic
inequality between men as the prin-
cipal cause of the great material and
moral crisis now gripping the United
States.
Roosevelt Deserves Applause.
"The fight Of President Roosevelt
against the forces of Wall Street, as
well as against the more aggressive
forms of capitalistic exploitation, de-
serves and receives our most sincere