Diario las Américas., 1958-03-09
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The NOn-lnierVeniiOn Principle
And The Encouragement Of
Democracy

Democracy
Because it is of special
current interest, we repro
duce our commentary of ap.
prOximately eight months
ago, which appeared in our
edition of June 80, 1857.
When there is a desire to
forestall any possible stimula-
ton of continental democracy,
or when there is no wish to as
sumo the theological and the
moral responsibilities that such
encouragement of democracy i'm
plies, in order to avoid problems
with certain governments, the
argument is invoked that the
validity of the Non-Intervention
Principle does not leave any
door open that could lead to an
attitude on the part of the dem
ocratic governments of the Hem
isphere, and especially on the
part of the United States, in the
sense of making democracy in
America move toward progress.
The reason is well known why
certain governments maintain
this thesis, applying an errone-
Gus Interpretation to it, because
under such Interpretation it ia
vors them immensely, inasmuch
as it permits them to discharge
the Public Administration in an
arbitrary manner while at the
same time they speak of DEM
ocracy in international confer
ences, they sign doctrinal docu-
ments eloquently drafted and,
above all, they enjoy the ap-
proving observation of the other
governments of America, even
if the glances of the peoples
of the continent are not of ap-
proval but rather of recrimina-
ton.
The only explanation possible
to this leniency on the part of
the democratic governments that
blindly take refuge under the
Non-Intervention Principle and
watch with unfaithful indiffer-
ence the crises faced by DEM
ocracy in some of the countries
of America, is that it is far
easier for them to act in such
way rather than engage in a
coordinated endeavor for the
defense of sister nations and for
the defense, consequently, of the
democratic ideals.
Of course, this argument is
not a justification. The demo-
cratic governments and coun-
tries have the moral obligation
to stimulate the implementation
of democracy in America, not
only for the benefit of those coun-
tries lacking political freedom,
but also as a measure of self
defense, because the machinery
OF the whole Inter-American
System suffers from such irreg-
ularities and there is the risk
that the malady may develop in
other ATTITUDES of the Henri
sphere. 1t is just the case that
no one can remain Indifferent
when the neighbours premises
burn down.
Regarding the consecrated
Non-Intervention Principle, it is
indispensable to establish the
basic difference existing between
unilateral Intervention, resulting
from the whims of a certain
government or of a certain coun-
try, and the collective action of
several governments, when that
action is based on a series of
international rules, of theological
principles and, particularly, of
agreements solemnly subscribed
by the Governments of America
on hehalf of all the peoples of
the Continent. II is a collective
action previously agreed upon,
that can well be carried through
wisely, without the use of physi-
cal force.
The statesmen and the diplo.
matte representatives of the
United States and Latin Ameri-
ca genuinely DESTROYS of achiev-
ing a sound and well-intentioned
collective action for the defense
Of the political rights of the
peoples of Latin America, could
reach such noble objective with
out violating the essence of what
is historically known in Amer