Evening star., 1937-02-14
1RUJ|LL0 SURVEYS.
ADVANCE Of PEACE
President of Dominican Re-
public Thinks Consultation
- Able Safeguard.

- The UOmtntcdH hepuOICs CoH-
: tribution to the cause OF Uorld
E peace through its recent pact tDith
Haitt and the achievements OF the
. Buenos Aires Conference in pro-
noting unity on the American con-
tinent are discussed here by the
President OF the Dominican Re-
- public.
BY GEN. RAFAEL L. TRUJILLO.
CIUDAD TRUJILLO, Dominican
Republic. February 13.-When his ex-
cellency, President Roosevelt, ad-
dressed himself. Just year ago, to
the heads of all the states OF the
New World, to suggest special inter-
American Conference to unity the
continents will to peace, I had the
pleasure Of accepting without reserve
SO lofty a suggestion as a lef'timate
interpreter of the feelings OF the
Dominican people, which all through
its history has kept fervid cult
Of peace and justice.
The Dominican Republic has just
made, together with the Republic OF
Haiti, a real and effective contribu-
ton to the cause of world peace. This
contribution is a positive fact and not
merely words or promises-the old dis
putes over boundaries between the TWO
states have been definitely settled
through the cordial and friendly agree
ment I had the honor to close with
nv illustrious friend, President VIM
cent.
President Roosevelt's suggestion was
received with unanimous optimism
throughout this continent. There
never was a more propitlous hour
to appeal to the conscience OF the
Americas. The war-like episode OF
the Chaco had ended and the task
had been started to find an har-
monious way to adjust the quarrel
definitely.
1t had been shown once again tnat
the free Americas are the continent
of peace, inasmuch as a case that
was an exception to this rule had
been adjusted peacefully. Besides, re-
cent experiences in the international
life Of the world had again shown
the need for an attitude Of solidarity
throughout our continent in the face
Of future contingencies.
United by Common Purpose.
Having made it a point to respond
TO President Roosevelt's appeal, rep
resentatives of all America went to
Buenos Aires in December. The re-
suits achieved there through the in
ter-American Conference for the con-
solidation of peace may be summed
up in one phrase: The American con-
tinent is now more united than ever.
The American republics will as
sumo from now on common ana
united attitude when confronted with
any threat to peace. The treaty Tor
the maintenance and consolidation
of peace sets forth the obligation OF
mutual consultation among the gov
ernments in the moments of danger
to the continent The pact co-ordlnat-
ing and insuring compliance with
existing treaties among the American
nations reiterates the principle OF mu-
tual consultation and establishes the
rules for concerted neutrality.
The protocol relative to non-inter-
vention, besides reafhrming the op-
position to outside intervention IN the
internal or external affairs OF ma
ton, further establishes the obliga-
ton of mutual consultation in case
this principle is violated. And the
declaration Of American solidarity,
made at the suggestion of the Cen
tral American nations, enumerates the
rules accepted by the American In
ternational community, declares that
a united democracy exists in the
Americas and still further reiterates
the duty Of mutual consultation.
We have entered, therefore, into a
new era in the international life OF
the New World. I'VE have all en-
joyed the glories of independence-let
us now seek the glories Of interde-
pendence," said President Roosevelt
in a memorable speech.
Consultation Basis Established.
To guarantee continental solidarity
we have already arrived at reciprocal
consultation. There is no doubt that,
If this happy innovation were not
enough, the American republics would
60 beyond 1t. This has been clearly
shown by the resolution adopted by
the conference, ordering further and
preferential study Of the projects sub
mitted by the Dominican Republic
and by Colombia on the creation of
league or association of American
nations.
The reciprocal consultation proce-
dure determines function, although
1t does not create the organ that
would carry it out. But all func-
tional activity requires a special Or
gan for its development, and if this
does not exist, it Is created. Consul
tation will show the need for getting
together-that is, for overcoming the
difficulties originated by long dis
tances.
The organ will then be automatic
ally created. It will only be neces-
sary thereafter, when defining its con-
stitution and prerogatives, to choose
between a permanent grand council
OF American republics or a larger
body with greater purposes-that is,
q continental league of nations, such
as referred to in July, 1885, and as
I suggested In my letter to President
Roosevelt on February II, 1886.
Any solution decided upon in this
respect will only reaffirm the unity
Of the American Continent, victori-
ously sealed at the Buenos Aires Con-
ference.
Treaties Speed Cause Of Peace.
The conference, besides, did efficient |
and trail-blazing work through other |
treaties, such as the ones relative to
good offices and mediation and pre-
vention of controversies, and through
various conventions, resolutions, rec
concentrations and votes on impor-
tant juridical, economic and cultural
questions.
One of those resolutions declares
that the Columbus Memorial Light
house will be the symbol of the fra
ternity and union of the Americas"