Evening star., 1938-12-18
Lima Conference Eradicating
Antipathy for United States
South and Central American Nations Reveal New
Spirit of Cooperation, Forgetting Old
Legend of Colossus of the North
Bv Cresf0n B. Mullins,

through the conference 1t has gone
armed for the most part with memo
randa and outlines of proposals, flexible
enough for conformance with the pre-
vailing sentiments of the delegates.
The United States delegation so far
has submitted two major proposals, one
Thursday for the consolidation and CO.
ordination Of existing American peace
machinery. and the other for support of
Secretary Hull's reciprocal trade policies.
The consolidation plan was in line
with topic already on the agenda of
the conference, and will probably receive
the whole-hearted backing of the entire
conference.
The trade resolution was submitted
with the unanimous approval of the
delegations, although several made minor
reservations to accommodate their pres
ent trade practices with barter countries.
Significant of the new amity for the
United States was the tribute paid De-
cember l3 by Juan J. Remos, Cuban
secretary OF state, to this government
as leader in respect for the sovereignty
Of nations of the Western Hemisphere.
Added to this was praise of the good
neighbor" policy by the Colombian for
eign minister, DR.. Luis Lopez de Mesa,
in calling for expansion of the Monroe
Doctrine into a pan-American doctrine
Tor which each Of the 81 republics would
be responsible.
Hull Dominant Figure.
Mr.. Hull himself, declining a place on
any of the conference committees and
leaving the American place on the i'm
portant Peace Committee to ALT Landon.
has been the rallying point for Latin
sentiments.
Inc same spontaneity of ovation which
marks his appearances at home has been
in evidence at Lima, particularly when he
made his keynote speech December 10,
His is by far the dominant figure in
conference composed of leading states
men of the Western Hemisphere. Per-
haps, this is because there is no Saave-
Ora Lamas to vie with him this time.
During the remaining 10 days of the
conference there is only one threat now
dlscernlble to the almost saintlike no.
sition of the United States-the possibtl-
lty of sharp debate over the Mexican
oil appropriations.
Mexico has presented to the confer
ence a resolution opposing the tradi-
tional policy of the United States that
Its nationals in foreign countries cannot
renounce their rights to American pro-
lection.
Inc resolution, prepared in coniunc-
ton with an Argentine proposal against
the collection Of debts by force, would
pledge American governments not to
seek to protect their nationals in cases
where the latter have renounced their
rights in that respect on becoming prop
erty owners or Incorporating under the
laws OF another government.
Calvo Doctrine Revived.
This In its essentials is the old Calvo
doctrine expounded in the latter half of
the 18th century, but never given the
standing OF international law.
The Mexican government has a par
tlcular interest in it's formal recognition
as part OF American international law
because OF its own constitutional and
statute provisions that incorporation
under the laws of Mexico carries with it
remuneration of the right to diplomatic
protection. The argument is that for
elgners should not be privileged over the
nationals of the country in which they
operate.
The principal application of this con-
tention at this moment is in the oil ex-
preparations. Mexico has contended that
she should not compensate dispossessed
1orelgn property owners-whether oil or
agrarian-as long as she cannot do the
same for her citizens who also have suf-
tered appropriation. The obligation to
pay is admitted, but the physical ability
to do so Is stoutly denied.
United States Policy Clear.
If such a resolution as the Mexican
delegation has brought forth should
succeed, by virtue of overwhelming
committee support, in reaching the
plenary session there is sure to be fire.
works, for it is intolerable to this Gov
ernment, the position of which was
stated first and most clearly in January
1917, by Secretary of State Lansing a,
follows:
The Government of the United States
cannot regard provisions of DEGREES of
August Is and December IS, 1916, as an
nuling the relations existing between il
and its citizens who may acquire proper
ties in Mexico or as affecting its rights
and obligations to oprotect them against
denials of justice with respect to such
properties"
This statement has been amphfied on
innumerable occasions in the succeeding
~ years and remains today the basic
policy of this Government. 1t means
essentially that an American, in estab-
fishing himself abroad, cannot waive
diplomatic protection, which is a pre-
>rogative of the Government itself.
In regard to hemisphere defense and
solidarity the American delegation Is
certain not to get what it is known tc
have wanted at Lima definite pact
OF mutual assistance-but its adjustmen,
to political exigencies is being done be.
hind such perfect screening that the fina
product will prove no embarrassment.
Composite of Proposals.
What is finally accomplished in thi.
direction will be composite of number
Of proposals, including chiefly:
An>Argentine-spo declaration oi
n0licu auainsf auuraSeinr, aitLar fre,,-