Evening star., 1939-02-03
Calls for Closer Ties
With Lutin Americans
Good Neiehbor Policies Of
President Roosevelt
Commended
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
1t can safely be affirmed that all South
Americans who may have read 1t will
agree with Mr.. Jay Franklin's opinion
on Pan-American solidarity, as ex-
pressed in his column Of The Star, I'VE,
the People," OF January 3, 1899. 1t says,
in part:
1--WE have been too parochial, too con-
scious of color and racial differences to
take much interest in. the culture Of
Latin America"
There is so much that could be added
to that mild statement! For we have
been entirely too unmindful of the dis
like and even hatred which this old at
titude, plus our political policies, have
caused for us in some countries. In this
connection we have been often charged
with injustice and utter indifference to
the fate of Latin Americans. We might
at least look the facts squarely in the
face. For instance:
During the World War, and postwar
years, our American sympathy and we'll
known generosity reached across the At
lantic, sending shiploads of clothing and
foodstuffs to the suffering Europeans,
and particularly to the poor Arme-
mans" Very laudable, indeed. We all
felt better for it. But what should be
my surprise, when on arriving in Ha-
vana in December, 1921, I found the
people from one end of the island to
the other very resentful and protesting
against American indifference to their
misfortunes. In large cities, particu-
larly the capital angry crowds paraded
the streets shouting their indignation.
Knowing so well the American peoples
own struggles and their unawareness Of
the situation, 1t seemed to me a great
pity that there was not better mutual
understanding, and felt then, as I do
now, the urgent need Of bringing these
two peoples closer, as is being done
through the unprecedented good neigh
Dor" policy of President Roosevelt and
his Government.
Those acquainted with history will re-
member that the justified protests were
due to legislative measure about to be
passed in Congress known as the Fordney
tariff, which was to deal hard blow to
the sugar industry of Cuba, as II the post
war financial crisis 1t was undergoing
had not been sufficient to ruin it.
On my sojourn through the island
eastward to the Province of Oriente,
where I lived on cane plantation dur
ing three months. saw squalor and
sickness devastating the country. I saw
hordes Of men. women and children in
vading daily the cane fields for the only
supply of food available, sugar cane, on
which they sustained their miserable
lives exclusively. And this was happen
ing right at the doors of the unsuspect-
ing American people. Never before did
I realize the necessity of taking a
friendly interest in our neighbors and in
politics at the polls as well. How wished
I could have brought back home the les
son which taught me the need of cult
waiting Latin American friendship and
consolidating all our mutual interests!
Not by wordy speeches, but by effective
action.
Since trade agreements will play such
an important part in the expansion Of
commerce internationally. it would seem
that education on these lines should be
given special attention in some uni
form manner to meet the new require
ments, in new way, and with a spirit
of fair cooperation.
JOSEPHA A. MCCORMACK.
January 81.