Diario las Américas., 1958-02-28
ECONOMIC SOLIDARITY

Recently we commented on the brilliant speech of
Senator %SmatherS, a piece of OratOry that, undoubtedly,
will have repercuSSiOnS in ~nter-American relations. To-
day, we want to point out another aspect of that speech,
which will place it among the historic speeches made in
the Senate of the United States.
Senator SmatherS stated: Most of us have a shallow
understanding of the civilization that lies to the south. In
reality, Latin America consists of a group of states firmly
devoted to principles that the United States seeks to
uphold. Down through the years they have struggled
yaliantly to promote democratic principles" An honest
statement, worthy of being taken into considerations;
because perhaps the enOrmity and the universally OF this
country, causes that in some instances its glance be limited
to domestic affairs; and when some outside phenomenon
does not agree with the habits he has had from childhood,
the average American necessarily becomes confused and
does not understand that in other areas there is a diff
ferent way of reacting to life. Evolution, education, and
economic Improvement through the induStrialzatiOn process
now making Roadway in Latin America, will cause the
principles of formal democracy to be strengthened in
some nations, since there is in all nations a deep sense of
In effect, it is through the creation of an economically
healthy middle class, through improved living conditions
for the people, and through solidarity in economic affairs
throughout the Hemisphere, that SOme nations which have
not yet reached the development goal we all desire, will
reach that level which will permit economic and political
stability. In this respect, Senator SmatherS makes it very
clear, the United States has an enormous responsibility,
which is that of saving our own Continent from the danger
of economic penetration by international communism -
which penetration would mean an advance in their. world
domination and an attack against the United States. About
this, Senator SmatherS said: Herein lies the danger.
Our mutual enemies, the Communists, seized upon the
fierce longing of our ~neighbOrS for more rapid fulfnlment
of their aspirations. With deceptive promises, the Com.
muniStS are seeking to infiltrate Latin America both
economically and politically. And, as an admOnitiOn for
the future, he adds: at is selfdefeating for the United
States to be exerting itself economically and financially
toward other more distant areas of the world if at the
same time we do not render the type of assistance needed
and asked for by our %neighbOrS in our own Hemisphere.
We cannot say that we need not help Latin America because
Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East are the inn
mediate danger areas in the cold war. The fact is that
any Soviet penetration in Latin America could do us meal
culable harm.
Political solidarity within the InterAmerican System
having been achieved, the job should be crowned with
continental economic solidarity. Blessed be America which
has the Organization of American States which has made
possible a peaceful cOexiStence among the States in a
climate of respect, understanding, and mutual aid in pO-
lfdcal affairs. However, the moment has arrived for that
political solidarity to be completed with an economic So
lidarity, as is contained in the spirit of Senator SmatherS'
speech.
If in the previous century, Henry Clay, in the Senate
of the United States, took it upon himself to have the
United States recognize the political independence of the
H~iSpanic-American nations in their fight for freedom, on
February II, 1858, George SmatherS asked that this be
cOmplemented by the proclamation of economic solidarity
In the Western Hemisphere.