UNCLE SAM'S TURBULENT NEIGHBORS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 77, 26 January 1914, Page 4

UNCLE SAM'S TURBULENT NEIGHBORS.

11 l have found that there, is much curiosity here, and a little difficulty, to understand what is the policy of the great Republic towards its turbulent southern neighbors (said Dr. Page, American Ambassador, at a London function recently). It is simply this: That the United States reached a stage in its development where, with perfect sincerity. it does not wish for another foot of territory under any conditions. The President has been frank enough to Hay so. Secondly, the United States can commit itself to helping forward only one sort of government anywhere in the world, and that is a government for the benefit of the governed only and by their consent. The third self-evident proposition is that seventy years ago the United States pledged 'itself to use I its inllucHce to preserve the.land on ilie 1 other side ol the sea for the people who lived on it, and not for any who might wish for any reason to exploit, it. The way that (jovernmenls take other countries now is not by taking their lands, but by taking their bonds. Therefore' the third proposition is that 110 sort of financial or industrial control can, with th« consent, of the United States, be got ovci- those weak nations which should in effect control their (Government. Now, if any State south of us—of course, excepting those, great Commonwealths like Argentina and Brazil I and Chili, which stand equal with the United States in their responsibilities and in the rapidity of their development —should have their periodic trouble.-, what is the policy to pursue! 1 The policy not lo pursue is to send an army there, for they are our friends, and we are their friends, and armies mean enemies. The people of the United States have, if I may say so, outgrown any feeling for military glory, any desire to rule over any other people. Thoy have no ambition on earth with rcapeet to

their neighbors except to help them sinerely in any legitimate way towards self-government."