Evening star., 1939-12-24
War May Strengthen
lutin American Bond
BIZ Frederic J. HdSkin.

international relations. During the
World War there was almost complete
agreement that the war, If won by the
allies, would save democracy. The fail.
ure Of this has caused a reluctance to
foretell what will be the effect Of the
new war on political, economic and social
aspects Of the world, especially on the
republics of North and South America
where the sentiment Of neutrality is
strong and government predominant
But although prophecy is lacking as
to how the present conflict will react
upon the business and social relations of
the countries in the two Americas, there
is growing feeling in the United States
that the nations Of Europe should be lei
alone to solve their own problems This
sentiment Is reflected in the Nations
press and by individuals generally. Not
only does the let-alone idea seem to
be growing, but there is a growing
opinion that closer business relations
should be developed between the United
States and the South American republics,
so that dependence upon Europe for
trade may be lessened.
The line Of demarcation between the
American republics and certain Euro
pean countries has not been over trade
relations but over policies that concern
people in the management Of their per-
sonal affairs. But since this is a matter
which the American republics cannot
control, and since trade relations with
countries have tendency to unite them
in other interests, many observers say
that closer bond of unity between the
United States and the Latin American
countries is the best economic hope OF
this country.
Except in q few instances, relations
between the United States and the Latin
American republics have always been
cordial, mainly because their govern
ments have many things in common with
the Government of this country. With
| the achievement of independence, all ex-
| cept Brazil, Haiti and Mexico adopted
| republican form of government. In
| Brazil, an empire was established and
| continued until 1889; in Mexico the en-
| pire lasted only II months. In Haiti,
monarchs ruled until 1920, when a re-
| public was formed.
| However, since but few of the newly
| founded states had had actual experience
in government, much difficulty was
encountered in passing through the pc
| riod of transition which marked the
! change from the status they had previ-
ously possessed as colonies to that of in
dependent republics. This period Of
transition was longer in some countries
than in others. For example in the
United States it lasted from 1776 to 1889.
During those years the form of govern
ment set up under the Articles of Con-
federation proved most unsatisfactory.
and it was not until the present Consti-
| tuition was adopted that government
adequate to the needs OF the Nation was
established.
There is also general unity of thought
between the republics of North and
South America, largely because of their
respective constitutions. These vary in
details. but in all fundamental provisions
they are essentially the same. Some Of
the constitutions, such as that of the
United States, are quite brief, enunciat-
ing general principles and leaving de-
tails of administration to the discretion
of the several branches of the govern
ment; others, such as that of Uruguay,
are lengthy and set forth in much detail
the powers Of various governmental au-
thorities. Several of the Latin American
constitutions are remarkable documents
by reason of their favorable provisions
for social welfare, particularly the pro-
lection of labor. Social legislation was
in existence in many Latin American
countries long before it was adopted in
the United States.
Five countries Argentina, Brazil,
Mexico, the United States and Vene-
zuela-have the federal system of gov
ernment in which the national govern
ment exercises those powers specifically
delegated to it by constitution, with
the remaining powers reserved to the
States. In the other countries the CEN
tralized form of government exists.
| &k X
The constitutions of all the American
republics provide for the three recog-
nized divisions of government-legisla-
tive, executive and judicial Five of the
countries-Costa Rica, Ell Salvador, Qua
temala, Honduras and Panama-have a
one-body legislature. In all the other
countries the legislatures are composed
OF two houses. Unlike the United States,
III most Of the Latin American countries
cabinet secretaries may sit in Congress
and propose legislation, but they have
! no vote. Suffrage for women exists in
Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay
and the United States.
The total number of members of the
legislatures varies from the United
States, with 96 Senators and 435 Repre-
sentatives, to Panama, with one chamber
OF 81 members. In several of the Latin
American countries there are commit.
tees Of the legislature whose duty it is 10
watch over the observance of the consti-
tuition and the laws during the recesses
| OF the Congress Mexico is the only coun.
try which bars immediate reelection for
Senators and Representatives