The Nation's Neighbors
PRESIDENT COOLIDGE became his own ••• spokesman to the press at the recent dinner given by the United Press Associations In New York City. The result was eminently satisfactory. In so far as it...
...And In this area the nation's interests are property and not business negotiation...
...Unfortunately, we seem as yet to have got no further...
...In reality, however, It is new only in the sense that It Is the product of rapidly changing conditions in Latin America...
...By refusing to over-ride this argument, our government renders Its task more difficult and Its economic reward less great, but it places the country on the side of justice with a definiteness which, in the long run, will be regarded by the world as a salutary diplomatic example...
...To what limits this principle might lead In practice the President did not say, although he hinted that it could not properly be arbitrated, and declared that there was good reason to believe It would be respected by a Mexico brought to understand the meaning of its Illegal activities...
...The question of power In that vast continent Is largely commercial rather than political in character...
...In so far as it set forth principles which have been guiding the United States government in its relations with Latin America...
...Coolldge...
...So far as we are aware, no one has compiled a list of American holdings in Mexico and Central America...
...But beyond any question the total Is enormous, particularly when the possibilities of development are taken Into consideration...
...and an attempt on the part of the United States to assume "moral responsibility" there would mean a body blow to Its business progress...
...Frankly and concisely, Mr...
...In other words, the State Department has clung to the time-honored and perfectly lawful principle that one government's relations with another consist largely In protecting the lives and rightfully gained Interests of Its citizens...
...Readiness to believe that negotiation and political education will gradually replace military control and bring about the desired condition does honor to Mr...
...This development cannot proceed unless peace prevails...
...By implication he conveyed the impression that the existing Mexican government, since Obregon's time, has been defended under the arms embargo agreement because It promised to safeguard American rights acquired under the Constitution of 1857...
...Certainly the most important of these is some form of international cooperation which will place responsibility for deeds that concern all squarely upon the shoulders of all, which will teach the duties of International life through participation and experience...
...Our strenuous problem—defense of legitimate rights on the one hand and political patience on the other—needs to take advantage of commensurate opportunities...
...It probably would...
...Coolldge enunciated what many have termed a "new doctrine...
...But with a consciousness of having turned definitely away from policies to which it has never been committed by popular opinion, the nation may soon find the recipe for a broader and more helpful code in dealing with its neighbors...
...In going on to say that the United States felt a special moral responsibility for nations north of the Panama Canal, Mr...
...and so there exists what may be termed a "permanent temptation" to preserve the peace...
...He emphatically rejects the "short-cut" which assumes that direct American administration could solve the whole problem almost Immediately...
...Coolldge Indicated that the defense of property rights, and not either imperialistic design or crusading urge...
...The only really effective argument against United States imperialistic action in the countries north of the Canal is the fact that such action cannot be squared with political morality and International law...
...There Is no longer much reason for believing that any European power would attempt to rule In portions of the southern hemisphere...
...North of the Canal, however, the situation Is wholly different...
...Every disturbance affects the whole area to at least some extent...
...Is directing those responsible for what Is being done In the name of the State Department...
...Here the United States and Its citizens must reckon with political conditions...
Vol. 6 • May 1927 • No. 1
