Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1931 JOHN BULL, UNCLE SAM, AND LATIN AMERICA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 30 March 1931, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1931 JOHN BULL, UNCLE SAM, AND LATIN AMERICA

THE visit of President Hoover to what have been termed Uncle Salt’s West Indian Possessions is not without significance. Anyone who is acquainted with recent happenings in. Central and South America, is aware of the distrust which the Republics of those division; of the American Continent have of Uicle Sam and his encroachments in such countries as Cuba, Haiti, Santo Domingo, Porto Rico, Nicaragua, Panama, etc. The feeling openly expressed in the Republics of Batin America is one of tear lest Uncle Satn, using the Monroe Doctrine as a lever, may .gradually extend his influence southward till ho ha; established what would amount to a hegemony over Central and South America. That being the prevailing feeing, it is no wonder that the’ tour of the British

Princes through the principal South American Republics has created a 1 remendous interest throughout the length and breadth of Latin America, where the Princes’ presence is interpreted as an indication of Great Britain’s friendship and of her interest in the welfare and liberty of the nations of Central and South America. This feeling doubtless has spread to Uncle Sam’s Caribbean Possessions and Protectorates, and it is only natural that President Hoover, as custodian of the United Stales’ welfare, should visit them in order to show the interest which he takes in their well-being and prosperity. In reality, of course, the United States interest in the West Indies and Central America centres round the Panama Canal and the prospective Nicaraguan Canal. The eastern approaches to the canal-zones are commanded by innumerable islands, which are possessed by different European nations and the United States. The latter own, or practically own, the largest of those islands, and some few' years ago bought from Denmark the Virgin Isles, which President Hoover regrets avc not a paying proposition. This practical interest of the United States in the West Indies dates from the time when the late Admiral Mahan, U.S.N., pointed out in an elaborate and able paper the strategical importance of the West Indian Islands and especially of Jamaica in relation, to the then projected plans for making the Panama Canal. The completion of that canal and the project,iea of another such canal through Nicaragua increase the strategical importance of the West Indies and of Jamaica; so ic. is not to he wondered that President Hoover takes a personal interest . in Uncle Sam’s West Indian Possessions and Protectorates. The Latin Americans fully understand these things, and while they look upon Lieat Britain as a buffer between themselves and the United States, they nevertheless are apprehensive of the latter’s encroachments in the West Indies and Central America. That, then, is the opinion of the Latin America peoples in regard to the relationships of Uncle Sam and John Bull towards them. We do not believe that there will ever he any real trouble between Sam and John over their West Indian interests, hut that all dilcalties connected therewith will be cleared aw’a.y as they may arise in the future, because of the natural inclinations which they both possess to settle differences hv arbitration. In the meanwhile it is all to the good that Great Britain should cultivate the friendship of the South American Republics. Hie Princes’ tour has been accepted as a friendly gesture by the whole of Latin America, and though their primary duty was to foster international trade by opening and patronising the British Exhibition at Buenos Aires, and though the political aspect of their tour has been obscured by the commercial, nevertheless the Dlonroe Doctrine will not in future hold such fears for Latin Americans as it did, and they will be able lo regard President Hoover’s visit to the West .Indies with equanimity.