Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-08-21
Good Neighbor Policy
Wins Cubun's Praise
Mr.. Roosevelt Commended
For Fair Treatment of
Lutin America
70 the Editor of The Star.

To the Editor of The Star:
Were the American people as whole
aware of the unfriendly feeling that pre-
vailed against them throughout Latin
America for years past Official repre-
sentation to the contrary, they would
then be able to recognize the magnitude
of the reaction brought about by the
unique good neighbor policy OF Presi-
dent Franklin D. Roosevelt.
When Mr.. Roosevelt took hold Of your
Nations affairs, there were countries
south of the Rio Grande where the
bitterness and hatred seemed implacable.
Each was nursing some sort of grievance
of its own, but all were in perfect accord
that they had one common enemy.
This lack of close international under
standing had its inception Immediately
after the Spanish War, when
some war reporters, drunk with the glory
of victory, boosted of the great conquests
and far-fung dominions OF the North
American empire. The word empire"
alone served as warning and to this
day one hears of the Imperial designs"
of the United States over its neighbors.
A new empire was in fact, being born
an industrial empire.
The corporations, following in the wake
of the victorious army, established them
selves mainly in Cuba, with formidable
power of absorption Of land and wealth
and human rights in general. They be-
gan playing politics, too, controlling
legislation in many ways, breaking immi-
grafton laws, retarding all legislation
that might regulate hours and wages or
raise the laborer's level from the beasts,
until they succeeded admirably in plant
ing distrust where there had always been
good faith; resentment where friendii-
ness had been won for all things Amer
lean.
Thus, the corporations made them
selves disliked and wrecked the construc-
tive work done by that other great
Roosevelt, whom we Cubans have held
in the highest esteem, because he stood
for the highest ideal-freedom from all
types Of oppression.
Things went from bad to worse as one
country was set against the other. This
chasm widened as new mistakes were
made in economic policies and as tariff
laws were passed and commercial treaties
disregarded during the last two decades
OF Republican administration.
For the benefit of the uninitiated, let
me say that we should not be deceived
into thinking that because the size and
will for utb of ic
ligible, that these unfriendly situations
are of no consequence. For the bonds
of race, history and ideals are strong.
The Latin countries are most sympa-
thetic with one another and unity sup
plies power in more ways than one.
If people lose one friend, they cast
about for another.
Wise are the men, then, who lave
been seeking to remedy these evils
through a genuine love of peace and a
keen sense of justice-Who, by the
adoption of the good neighbor policy
have sought to make amends and sue
ceeded in producing favorable spiritual
reaction throughout the two Americas,
recapturing that close friendliness and
cooperation of the Spanish
War time, while laying the foundations
for economic reconstruction.
1t is no secret that when President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected.
Cuba was one the verge of an industrial
collapse. He saved her. Temporarily
maybe, but he spared the population
from ruin and even famine, not suspect
ing the happiness and Joy he was bring
ing to millions of hearts
Today. this people stand firmly for
him who has become, simply. the symbol
for unselfish service to the cause of
peace-peace based on justice.
JOSEFA A. DE MCCORMACK.
August II.