Diario las Américas., 1958-05-07
EDITORIAL
THE BRITISH WEST INDIES FEDERATION

Great Britain'S Princess Margaret is at the present
time visiting the territories of the British West Indies, on
the, Caribbean. The purpose OF her visit was to attend
the opening of the First Parliament of this new state which
has just been born within the British Commonwealth. Its
capital is Port OF Spain, Trinidad; and, together with the
island mentioned, it is formed by the other British colonies
and possessions of the Caribbean, with the exception of
British Guiana and Belize British HOnduras). The poll
tical process that has climaxed in the creation of this new
state in the Western Hemisphere, has left still in the hands
OF the British Crown all matters pertaining to foreign rela-
tons, defense, monetary and fiscal problems. Yet, it is a
new experiment on the part of Great Britain to slowly
grant definite independence to its old colonies and pos
sessions, with the new states thus formed Incorporating into
the British Commonwealth OF Nations.
In this specific case, it is an evolution that seems to
be based on the principles established by the Charter of
the United Nations, whereby the power nations holding
colonies have the sacred duty, as stipulated in Article rs
OF the Organizations Charter, to facilitate the progressive
development towards Self-gOvernment or independence of
the territories under truSteeShip.
All evolution and all process tending to end European
eOl0niaism in the Western Hemisphere have our support
and are desired by all the peoples of this continent. They
have so ratified in several declarations made in interna-
tiOnal conferences of the American Republics. We thus
welcome the new state, if its people are actually going to
have SefgOvernment, independent and sovereign, and if
they are to enjoy the international prerrOgativeS while at
the same time they assume the obligation to fulfill their
duties as part OF the international community. But, if
Americas goal and aspiration have been and still are to
end cOlOnialiSm, she cannot ignore the legitimate claims
that some American countries may have on territories now
incorporated or not in that Federation. Let us all hope
that this new development will not make any more diff.
fcult, but rather amplify, the possibilities of those Repub-
Y W nave more cnance 10 explain them claims and get
what, in the light of justice and fairness, they are legti.
mately entitled to.
lnasmuch as the foreign affairs of that Federation
will for some time be handled by the British Crown IT is
still early to evaluate the possibilities of this new state
just created in America of becoming part of the Organiza.
ton of American States. A state in the Caribbean, our
Mare Nostrum, an area of vital activity in the Hemisphere.
cannot remain isolated as concerns our regional organiza-
ton, nor the latter can ignore it. Powerful geopolitical
economic, and racial reasons, as well as of military strategy,
determine so.
Let us salute the new state as a step forward in the
relaxation of cOlOnialiSm in America; yet, let it be establi.
Shed that it is necessary that, cOgnizant of the legitimate
particular interests of some American nations, as well as
OF the glObal interests of the Hemisphere, this state must.
as OF now, give proof of its desire to definitely participate
IN the life of cOexistence, of respect and hemisphere soil.
darity agreed to in the Rio de Janeiro Treaty and In the
economic ties that unite us all.