Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-07-21
MONROE DOC"
NEVER NEEDED
DEFENSE GUNS


mament a Senator observed: We have
never drawn gun to enforce the Mon
roe Doctrine and he thought it was
all because of the psychology that
existed" He indicated that the peo-
pie of the United States are almost
as docile and peace-loving as China
men. In the United States that kind
of a statement is interpreted to mean
that there is something pretty soft
about us, and of course no one thinks
that Americans and Cinnamon are a.
like.
AS a great nation that is capable OF
admitting its own human shortcom-
ings our people will perhaps plead
guilty of the charge that we are too
tolerant and "docile" in our relations
with some of the countries OF Latin
America. 1t does not take much OF
an investigation into affairs to find
that we bend over backwards in all
matters where the Monroe Doctrine is
concerned. Still we have none OF the
tendencies that are traced to the Mon
golians and their standards of govern
ment.
Before we entered the World War
our weaknesses were discovered by
Germany and they attempted to make
the most of it in Latin-America, where
they easily gained Mexico as their al
ly. The present German government
has not forgotten, and they were
Johnny-on-the-spot when President
Gardenas confiscated American-owned
oil properties last March. Shortly
thereafter barter trade operations
were arranged between Germany and
Mexico, and American-owned oil that
had been stolen by Mexico seemed
for a time to offer rich rewards in
barter trade with Germany. But the
best laid plans of schemers often fail;
as is indicated by the Annual Review
of the United States Department OF
Commerce, just off the press. That
Mexico has not obtained the prosper
ity that it sought is shown by state
ment from Mexico City showing sub
stantial decreases in imports and ex-
ports in it's foreign trade, and in large
decreases in it's bank deposits.
Congress refrains from Latin-Amer-
lean criticism, and this attitude has
been especially noticeable since pre-
parations were made for the Lima
Conference. But Mexico's perfidy to
the Good Neighbor policy figure
strangely, though Importantly, in the
demands of the President for heavy
ornaments. Likely this accounts for
the slurs appearing in German news
papers, one of which calls our Presi-
dent "the Don Quixote for Demo-
crazy"
A strong message of protest from
Secretary of State Hull was sent to
Mexico months ago, and for some
reason it was held up in the American
Embassy in Mexico City. This led
to resolution recently offered in
Congress requesting the presence of
Ambassador Josephus Daniels in
Washington, to give Congress infor-
nation about the Hull message and
other unusual circumstances which
have brought the Mexican Govern
ment practically into disrepute in
Washington.
Only last month Secretary of State
Hull made statement which If trans
mitted into vigorous action would
bring matters to a head in Mexico,
and put fresh props under our boosted
Pan-American solidarity. Human
rights and property rights" were link
ed in the Hull declaration, and he add
ed that they "lie at the very founda-
ton of international friendship" The
statement applies definitely to the in
equality existing between the Donald
Richberg mission to Mexico City-to
plead for a square deal-and Presi-
dent Cardenas. "These rights must
be defined, and they must be main
tained," declared the Secretary.
When they are maintained" the
force of the United States Govern
ment will insure justice to Americans
whose property has been taken from
them by larceny of the Mexican gov
eminent.
How docile are we?