Evening star., 1936-12-03
Member of the Associated Press.
Interdependence.

AAtSA AuSPSAAuSAAOSs
In clarion tone President Roosevelt
stressed the "interdependence" Of the
sister republics of the West as the key
note of his stimulating address at the
opening session of the Inter-American
Peace Conference in Buenos Aires-a
sfamily" gathering, as he happily calls
It. In carefully chosen terms, Mr..
Roosevelt warned all concerned that I'VE
IN the Americas stand shoulder to shoul-
der in our final determination that
others who, driven by war madness or
land hunger, might seek to commit acts
Of aggression against us, will find
hemisphere wholly prepared to consult
together for our mutual safety and our
mutual good"
The President at no point mentioned
the Monroe Doctrine. But hardly any
other construction can be placed upon
his phraseology than that the United
States no longer looks upon the Doctrine
as policy exclusive to this country but
as a multilateral principle conceived in
the interest of all the Americas and for
the safeguarding of which they are
Jointly responsible. Long after the
Buenos Aires conference has passed into
the record, that fortnight pronounce
ment will live as an enduring force in
world relations. 1t will be honorably
ranged alongside the historic thesis
which for lib years has been the key
stone in the arch of American foreign
policy.
OF more immediate pertinence, be-
cause of current international condi-
tions, is Mr.. Roosevelts reference to
the Old World, where catastrophe i'm
'pends." He minces no words in fore
shadowing the peril to democracy in
volved in such a calamity and calls upon
the New World to help the Old to
prevent 1t. With that buoyant optimism
characteristic of him, the President is
confident" the American republics can
render this service. He does not limit
himself to abstract profession of opti-
mism, but defines how the Americas can
succor the Old World in its hour OF
danger. He would strengthen and con-
solidate the processes OF constitutional
democracy In this hemisphere; take
steps to prevent conditions that give rise
to war, including establishment of the
highest possible standards of living,
along with political, religious and edu-
eational freedom, and, finally, bring
about q more free exchange of goods
among the American nations, removing
Suicidal" trade barriers that lower living
standards and obliterate democratic
ideals. BY maintaining solidarity against
aggression and by setting mankind an
example Of social and political justice,
Mr.. Roosevelt is persuaded that the
American nations cannot only preserve
their own security and wellbeing, but
make . substantial contribution toward
averting disaster for the peoples far
beyond their shores.
The President addresses himself bluntly
10 q world in which relationships and
subversive philosophies-"new fanati-
cisms" that look to aggrandizement by
war-are today not only trampling
human rights under foot at home, but
seeking to spread their insidious doc
trine and power abroad. Against that
menace to democracy the President sum-
mons the Americas to stand united. The
warmth with which his words at Buenos
Aires were received indicates that they
ind fervent echo in the hearts of our
good neighbors to the South. The cause
Of free government everywhere will be
stronger for so timely demonstration
Of American unity and purpose.