The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-11-07

He 10 Sumner Welles, assistant
secretary Of state in charge Of
Latin American affairs.
WeIles IL one Of the most
astute and successful behind
scenes operators in the State
Department. seldom does he,
himself, appear on the firing
line. He works through RoOse-
welt or Secretary Of State
HULL They get the credit. But
he n the inspiration and genius
behind some Of their most sue
cessful moves In foreign policy.
Welles was O boy In knee
breeches at the wedding Of
Eleanor Roosevelt to Franklin
Roosevelt. They were married In
the home Of his god-mother, Mrs.
Henry Parish, Jr., who also Is
Mrs. Rosevelt's god.mother.
Later Welles became O career
diplomat, was recommended for
appointment by Roosevelt when
r. D. r. was assistant secretary
Of the navy. Althoug q mere
youngster, Welles had o notable
career, specializing In Latin
American relations. He was
made high commissioner to the
Dominican Republic while IN his
early thirties, was responsible for
The withdrawal Of American ma
rines and other good neighbor
moves.
Early Adviser
Long before Roosevelt's NOM
ination, Wclles sold the potential
candidate on the idea OF O Pan
American Good Neighbor policy,
In fact helped write the foreign
affairs planks in the democratic
platform at Chicago. After cleo
tons, he was appointed ambas-
sador TO Cuba, worst trouble-spot
In the western hemisphere.
Before Welles went TO Cuba, his
trim guardsman's moustache was
brown. When he came back
several months later. It was white.
That interval was the most har-
rowing, thankless experience OF
his career, one which subjected
him to violent criticism, but In
the end brought o stable govern
ment and prosperity In Cuba.
Dignity and Hum0r
Welles Is at his best In handling
Latin American diplomats. He
Is dignified, and Latin Americans
love dignity. He has a deep and
delicious sense Of humor, but he
can be as frigid as an ice-box
when some foreign diplomat Is
trying to get secret information
about United States policy.
Welles' passion Is gardening. His
tulips are the pride Of southern
Maryland, where he owns 500
acres on the Potomac just oppo-
site Mount Vernon. Recently
his gardener has been complain
ing that Welles has neglected
gardening for politics, has got
absent minded In his wedding.
Another hobby with Welles Is
dogs. He has five, all OF differ
ent breeds, fed on platters placed
at different corners OF his dining
room while the family lunches.
He also has a pet thrush. picked
up almost dead four years ago.
Welies got up OF five every morn
ing TO feed II while nursing "
back to life.
Welles Is one of the most ON
nivorous readers In the capital,
getting UP every morning before
six TO read. He keeps abreast OF
q dozen newspaper, every i'm
portant periodical and numerous
books.
His chief handicap Is an almost
blind loyalty TO his friends, which
sometimes gets him into trouble.
Maryland Politician
Recently Welles has risen high
In the inner councils Of the Presi-
dent not only through his foreign
relations activities but also In
domestic politics. Welles has be-
come an important political fig
ure In Maryland, q state which
one year ago was considered hos
tile to the President. The sud-
den pickup Of the democrats, as
indicated by the Baltimore Sun
poll, was partly due to Welles' In
tensive work OF organization.
Twice the President Jour-
neyed secretly TO WelIes'
palatial residence on the P0-
tomac 10 meet with Maryland
leaders and spur on the Or
ganixation of the state.
30 strong has become Welles'
prestige with the President that
II would not surprise some OF
those around the White House TO
see him appointed secretary Of
the navy. This Is Roosevelts
chief pet, and he Is inclined TO
put close personal friends In key
positions Of this kind.
Delegate Roosevelt
President Roosevelt has now
practically decided to sail TO
South America to open the