4*7 t?S Conservation Resources Lig-Free® Type I F 1418 .B27 Copy 2 REPRINTED BY PERMISSION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW FROM ITS ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 1915 PRACTICAL PAN-AMERICANISM BY JOHN BARRETT Director-General of the Pan-American Union; formerly U. S. Minister to Argentina, Panama, and Colombia " Pan- America " and " Pan- Americanism " are to-day terms of such vast and potential significance in world affairs that every one should be interested in their practical appli- cation and interpretation. Affecting vitally the progress and prosperity of every American republic and, therefore, the welfare of every citizen thereof, they are not to be dis- missed as mere concepts of the moment. Although long known in the phrase-book of international relations, they have an extraordinary present-day meaning which, based upon both fact and fancy, appeals alike to the reason and the imagination. Not only do they concern directly all the na- tions and peoples of North and South America, but indi- rectly many of the nations and peoples of Europe and even Asia. The present and future position, influence, and very exist- ence of each of the twenty-one American republics are and will be so related to the wise use of the power of Pan- America, and the just application of the principle of Pan- Americanism, that all patriotic and thinking Americans from Canada to Chile should study thoughtfully what Pan- Amer- ica and Pan-Americanism mean. The remarkable fact, moreover, that the European war is possibly doing more than any other influence in history, since the declaration of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, to develop and emphasize Pan- American solidarity and community of interest and purpose, makes it inevitable that European statesmen must recognize as never before this mighty force in the present and future of world progress. When the Secretary of State of the United States, acting under the advice of the President, recently invited the six ranking diplomatic representatives of Latin- America : the THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW Ambassadors of Brazil, Chile and Argentina, and the Min- isters of Bolivia, Uruguay and Guatemala, to confer with him regarding the Mexican situation, the United States Gov- ernment engaged in practical Pan- Americanism. It took a step forward, which not only attracted the attention of all the world and won the approval of all America— judging from the almost unanimously favorable comment of the Latin- American and United States press— but showed con- clusively to the world that purely Pan-American problems ought to be settled by the concert of American nations. Such action, however, was in no way antagonistic to European nations or those outside of the Pan-American Union. It was taken just as much for the benefit of their legitimate inter- ests and their peoples who reside or do business in American countries, as for the corresponding interests and peoples of the Americas. In truth, Pan- Americanism, in its correct in- terpretation, is in no sense anti-European or anti- Asiatic in its policies, purposes and propaganda, but an honest ex- pression of the fundamental right of nations having similar geographical, historical, political and commercial interests and inspirations to act together for their common good and protection. Pan -Americanism can be defined in its simplest form as the common or concerted action or attitude of the twenty-one American republics for the welfare of one or more or all of them without infringement of their sover- eignty or integrity. It may be said that by this invitation the United States demonstrated that, while in its sincere efforts to advance practical Pan-Americanism it desires all the nations of Pan- America to share in the blessings of their individual and collective peace and prosperity, it holds the belief that they should also share in bearing the burden of troubled conditions in any one of them which may react unfavorably upon all. By it the United States tangibly recognized the growing influence and importance of the other American republics and their part and responsibility in the Pan-Amer- ican family, which, if neglected or unrecognized by the United States, might suggest an attempt at domination or self-estab- lished superiority on its part that would perhaps promote distrust where confidence is necessary, and might seem to deny the equality of interest and responsibility of the other republics which their individual sovereignty inherently gives them. This action should prove to Mexico and to all jip^6&£o p. of e- MAR M 18 PRACTICAL PAN-AMERICANISM 3 Latin- America that the United States Government and peo- ple have no sinister designs and plans against the sover- eignty and territorial integrity of Mexico or the other American republics, but are actuated by the highest humani- tarian and fraternal reasons in their efforts to assist in evolving tranquility of conditions and stability of govern- ment in a neighboring republic and among a nearby suffering people. Even if this present effort at Pan-American co-operation shall fail to accomplish all that may be expected of it— for at this writing the final results have not been determined- such failure would not be more of an argument against the wisdom and sincerity of the attempt than would the failure of any logical co-operation of neighbors, associates and friends to help one of their number who is in dire distress. Whether it succeeds or fails, it shows the good intentions of the governments concerned. It develops their mutual re- sponsibility. It brings them closer together as friends and neighbors. There is excellent evidence of this fact in the " ABC Mediation " which took place a little over a year ago. That concerted effort of three Latin- American Powers was supported by the other sixteen in a resolution of the Governing Board of the Pan-American Union approved May 6, 1914, to the following effect: " The Pan-American Union applauds and supports the mediation offered by the Govern- ments of Argentina, Brazil and Chile through the medium of their distinguished representatives for the preservation of the peace of the American continent." The effort did not result in establishing peace in Mexico, but it accomplished more than any other influence in many years to bring the American nations closer together and to prove their unself- ish desire to aid each other in preserving peace m the Pan- American family. The Ambassadors of Brazil, Chile and Argentina are entitled to much credit for their long, per- sistent, and patient endeavor to bring about directly a set- tlement of the differences between the United States and Mexico, and indirectly permanent peace in a suffering sister nation. History will accord them more honor than has con- temporary sentiment. ...... In discussing practical Pan- Americanism as shown in the co-operation or mediation of the American republics in the matter of Pan-American questions, it is interesting to recall some notable precedents for such international action. A 4 THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW survey of the one hundred years which have passed since most of the Latin- American republics gained their independ- ence discloses many instances of greater or less Pan-Ameri- can co-operation, but mention is made here only of com- paratively recent cases. In 1895, when President Cleveland sent his famous message to Congress regarding the British- Venezuelan boundary dispute, the governments of several of the Latin- American republics sent congratulatory reso- lutions passed by their Congresses or expressed some official satisfaction at his action. In 1906, when President Gomez was inaugurated President of Cuba, following the interven- tion of the United States, practically all the Latin- American Governments, acting in harmony with the United States, sent special diplomatic representatives to be present, and this signified their sympathy with the United States in its unselfish efforts to preserve order and establish permanent peace in Cuba. In 1907, the notable Central American Peace Conference was held in Washington, under the auspices of the Pan- American Union. This was attended by official delegates from the five Central American Governments, which, in turn, invited the United States and Mexican Governments to ap- point plenipotentiaries to co-operate with them in reaching conclusions and drafting treaties that would prevent wars between Central American nations. This co-operation was effective, for since then there has been no actual warfare between any two or more of the Central American republics, although one or two have been disturbed by slight revolu- tions, In 1910, when Argentina and Bolivia were somewhat at odds over an arbitral award, and Argentina did not see fit to extend, or Bolivia to accept, a direct invitation to par- ticipate in the Fourth Pan-American Conference, the good offices of several Governments brought about a resumption of friendly relations. In 1911, when Colombia, Ecuador and Peru seemed on the verge of going to war over boundary questions, the United States and several Latin-American Governments united in making representations which helped to prevent an actual conflict. It may also be remembered that when, several years ago, negotiations between the United States and Chile over the so-called Alsop claim were somewhat strained, the informal and friendly suggestions of one or two of the Pan-American Governments relieved the situation and prevented a possible serious crisis. PRACTICAL PAN-AMERICANISM 5 To point out and summarize some of the principal pres- ent-day developments of practical Pan- Americanism, three main propositions and facts can be noted as follows : I. The most potential and interesting opportunity and re- sponsibility before the United States in the realm of foreign relations to-day lies in the twenty Latin- American republics which extend from Mexico and Cuba south to Argentina and Chile. II. These republics, in turn, according to the statements of their statesmen and newspapers, are more desirous than at any previous period in their history to get into closer political, commercial, economic, financial and sympathetic touch with the United States. III. "With the Old "World, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and our own nearby Canada, engaged in the most titanic war of all history, the New "World, or Pan- America — comprising twenty-one nations at peace with each other and inspired by the Pan- Americanism born of common purpose and interest — is destined to become the mightiest combination and influence for universal peace and good-will among nations and men which the world has ever known. It is now necessary and fitting, in order to understand this remarkable Pan-American situation, to consider and enu- merate some of the principal influences and agencies of re- cent years which have helped to bring it about. Among these the following may be cited: 1. The unremitting work of education, information and propaganda in behalf of peace, friendship, commerce and general intercourse among the American republics, carried on through many years and in the face at times of serious difficulties by the Pan-American Union (formerly known as the Bureau of American Republics), the international offi- cial organization and office of the twenty-one American re- publics, maintained by them in "Washington and controlled by a Governing Board made up, by international agreement, of the Secretary of State of the United States and of the diplomatic representatives of the twenty other republics accredited to the United States. 2. The new and special attention given in late years by the State Department of the United States to diplomatic and commercial relations with all of the republics of Latin- Amer- ica ; and the recent activity of the Government in promoting Pan-American trade. vol. ecu. — no. 718 27 6 THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW 3. The visits to Latin- America of high officials of the United States Government, especially of Secretaries of State, and of other representative statesmen, scholars, editors, writ- ers, travelers and business men ; and the activities and efforts of an able corps of United States diplomatic and consular representatives, military and naval attaches, in the Latin- American capitals and principal centers of commerce and social life. 4. The presence in Washington of exceptionally high- grade Ambassadors and Ministers, secretaries and attaches from all the Latin-American Governments, who, by their character, ability, tact, and public utterances have created a profoundly favorable impression, and also, as members of the Governing Board of the Pan-American Union, have wisely advised and inspired its executive officers in the ad- ministration of its work for peace, friendship and commerce. 5. The meeting, at varying intervals, of the great official international or Pan-American Conferences, beginning with the first, which met in Washington in 1889-90, and including the second at Mexico in 1901-2, the third at Rio de Janeiro in 1906, and the fourth at Buenos Aires in 1910, which were attended by plenipotentiaries from all the republics, and at which many Pan-American questions and problems were frankly and amicably discussed. 6. The holding of numerous other official or semi-official Conferences, such as the Pan-American Scientific Confer- ences, the Pan-American Sanitary Conferences, the Pan- American Medical Conferences, the Pan-American Commer- cial Conferences, including, in particular, the one which met in the Pan-American building in 1911 under the auspices of the Pan-American LTnion in response to invitations of the Director General, and also its more ambitious successor, the Pan-American Financial Conference, which assembled in the latter part of May of this year in response to the invitations extended by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States; these, in turn, to be followed by the International Joint Commission — growing out of the late Financial Confer- ence — which will meet in Buenos Aires, Argentina, next No- vember, and the second Pan-American Scientific Congress which will meet at Washington December 27, 1915-January 8, 1916. 7. The extraordinary recent progress of many of the Latin- American countries in population, commerce, political PRACTICAL PAN-AMERICANISM 7 influence, peaceful conditions, stability of government, trans- portation facilities, education, science, arts and literature — a degree of progress which has demanded world-wide at- tention and recognition; the growth of great cities and com- mercial entrepots among them; their increasing attraction for travelers and explorers; the exploitation of their mar- velous and limitless agricultural, mining, timber, industrial and water-power possibilities; and the rapid evolution in some of them of progressive and ambitious peoples seeking active participation in world affairs. 8. The construction and completion of the Panama Ca- nal, which, while physically dividing North and South Amer- ica, has commercially and politically brought the two con- tinents closer together and quickened the interest of the world in the countries which can now be reached through it; the improvement of steamship and transportation facili- ties logically resulting from it; the betterment of sanitary and healthful conditions in tropical and subtropical sections of Latin- America which were inspired and undertaken as a result of the example set and the good accomplished at Pan- ama. 9. The recent widespread attention, which the Pan- American Union labored during many years to awaken, now being given to Latin- America by Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, other commercial, industrial and financial organizations, civic societies and literary clubs, universities and colleges, newspapers and magazines, books and pam- phlets; the almost overwhelming and constantly increasing demand on the Pan-American Union, from all parts of the world, for every variety of information relating to each American republic; the call upon the Latin- American dip- lomats and executive officers of the Pan-American Union for numerous addresses on Pan-American subjects ; and the pro- gressive action of some of the representative banking, man- ufacturing, exporting, importing, and shipping firms and companies of the United States and Latin- America in for- warding Pan-American material development. 10. The practical results actually accomplished for Pan- Americanism through the initiative of the Pan-American Union during the last eight and one-half years, as follows : (a) the establishment of courses in Spanish (and in some instances in Portuguese also) and in Latin- American his- tory, geography and natural development, at over 2,000 uni- 8 THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW versities, colleges, normal and high schools, academies and private educational institutions throughout the United States, with corresponding help in the establishment of Eng- lish courses among Latin- American colleges and schools; (b) the regular acceptance by 1,500 newspapers in the United States and 300 in Latin- America of descriptive matter and news bulletins relating to the progress of the American re- publics; (c) the causing of over 3,000 libraries in the United States and many in Latin- America to equip their shelves with books relating to the Pan-American countries, based on lists carefully prepared by the Columbus Memorial Library of the Pan-American Union; (d) the supplying of data and in- formation which has caused over 5,000 manufacturers, ex- porters, importers, bankers and other business men to in- vestigate or develop Pan-American business relations, and has resulted in an actual increase of $400,000,000 in Pan- American trade ; (e) the providing of information which has aided over 6,000 North and South Americans to visit other American countries than their own; and (f) the purchase of property and the construction of a building for a fitting headquarters of the Pan-American Union as an international organization and home of practical Pan- Americanism, at a cost of approximately $1,100,000, towards which Mr. Andrew Carnegie generously contributed $850,000 and the American republics $250,000. 11. Finally, and perhaps, at the moment, most impor- tant of all, the three following influences : first, the European war, which has demonstrated practically and convincingly the interdependence and common interests of the nations and peoples of the western hemisphere ; second, the Mexican rev- olution, which has brought the United States and its sister republics face to face with one of the greatest problems of Pan-American peace and fraternity, and has inspired the spirit and action of Pan-American mediation and co-opera- tion ; and, third, the statesmanlike, unselfish and sympathetic interest and attitude of the President of the United States in all questions and matters pertaining to the Pan-American relations of the United States, which has been appreciated throughout Latin-America and reciprocated by the Presi- dents of the other American republics. Fully to grasp the significance of Pan- America and its resulting product, Pan- Americanism, it is necessary to re- member what Pan- America represents in area, commerce and PRACTICAL PAN-AMERICANISM 9 population. The combined area of Pan- America, exclusive of Canada, is 12,000,000 square miles, of which the Latin- American countries occupy approximately 9,000,000 and the United States 3,000,000. This physical extent of Pan- Amer- ica is better realized when it is compared with that of Europe, which has 3,750,000 square miles, with Africa, which has 11,500,000, and with Asia, which has 17,000,000. Remembering that commerce is often described as the 11 life blood of nations,' ' the Pan-American family certainly can be classed as lusty and full-blooded, for, in the last normal year before the war, 1913, Pan- America's foreign trade, including both imports and exports, was valued at the enormous total of, approximately, $7,000,000,000, of which the share of the United States was about $4,200,000,000 and of the Latin- American countries $2,800,000,000. In this connection there should be emphasized strongly a fact not generally appreciated, and not in harmony with the snap judgment and comment of many superficial students of Pan-American trade, or of those who are deluded by the impression that only during the last year have American business men awakened to the Pan-American opportunity: namely, that in the actual exchange of products between for- eign countries and Latin-America the United States leads all other countries, including Great Britain and Germany. In other words, the actual value of the exports and imports which the United States exchanged with the twenty Latin- American countries in 1913 exceeded $800,000,000. The total for Great Britain was $640,000,000; for Germany $410,000,- 000. These figures covering both exports and imports — for that is the only true way to measure foreign commerce — should effectively destroy the bogey so frequently stalking about, that the United States is far behind the European countries in its trade with Latin- America. "While it is true that Great Britain and Germany did lead the United States in the value of products exchanged with some of the coun- tries of South America proper, they were far behind the United States in their commerce with all Latin-America, which includes all countries from Mexico and Cuba south to the Straits of Magellan. It is gratifying, moreover, to state that the commercial and financial interests of the United States and Latin- Amer- ica have, during the past eight years, been responding more and more each year to the efforts of the Pan-American Union 10 THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW to build up greater trade exchange and closer financial rela- tions among the American republics. This is proved beyond doubt by the fact that in the period during which the writer has served as the executive officer of the Pan-American Union, or since 1906, the value of the exports and imports exchanged between the United States and the twenty Latin- American countries has grown from less than $500,000,000 to more than $800,000,000. Pan- America 's real greatness, significance, and power in world relationship are also emphasized by appreciation of its present population and the future possibilities for a vast increase. Its twenty-one nations can now boast of a popula- tion of 180,000,000, of which 100,000,000 are living in United States territory and 80,000,000 in Latin-America. There are several unfortunate impressions concerning Pan-American relations, among those uninformed as to the real Latin- America, which should be corrected in order that true Pan- Americanism shall not be unfairly hampered in its logical development. One is the too prevalent opinion about revolutions and armed political disturbances. Despite the troubled conditions in Mexico and Haiti which to-day tend to distort the vision, two-thirds of the population and area of all Latin- America have known no serious revolution in thirty years, while it has had so few international wars in a hundred years that it can shame Europe's record for the past century. There is also the suggestion that all Latin-America is opposed to the Monroe Doctrine. But what is interpreted as opposition to the Monroe Doctrine is not a feeling against the original Doctrine and the condi- tions under which it was declared, but against a kind of casual interpretation of it in the United States which carries the obnoxious intimation that the United States has a " holier than thou," a supreme, position among the nations of the western hemisphere. Latin-America, as a matter of fact, believes in a just and unselfish interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine — an interpretation which would make it a Pan-American principle or policy, by which all the countries of North and South America would stand for the sovereignty and integrity of each. In this discussion of Pan-America and Pan-American- ism, Canada has not been included because she is a part of the British Empire, and yet in many respects she is as closely associated with the purposes of Pan-Americanism PRACTICAL PAN-AMERICANISM 11 and as dependent upon Pan-American commerce and rela- tionship as some of the countries forming the Pan-American Union. Some day, and possibly one not too far distant, it is probable that Canada will desire to become an active mem- ber of the Pan-American Union, or, at least, an honorary or corresponding member, so to speak, if that can be ar- ranged by international agreement. When that time comes, Pan-America, in its broadest possibilities, will include twenty-two Governments instead of twenty-one as now, and there can be little doubt that Canada herself will become as staunch an advocate and friend of practical Pan- Amer- icanism as any of the ABC or other Latin- American Powers which have participated in Pan-American mediation, or have joined in Pan-Ajnerican co-operation and the growing work and responsibilities of the Pan-American Union. 015 828 862 fl # THE PAN AMERICAN UNION is the inter- national organization and office maintained in Washington, D. C, by the twenty-one American republics, as follows: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Domini- can Republic, Ecuador. Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua. Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Salva- dor, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. It is devoted to the development and advancement of commerce, friendly intercourse, and good under- standing among these countries. It is supported by quotas contributed by each country, based upon the population. Its affairs are administered by a Direc- tor General and Assistant Director, elected by and responsible to a Governing Board, which is com- posed of the Secretary of State of the United States and the diplomatic representatives in Washington of the other American governments. These two executive officers are assisted by a staff of inter- national experts, statisticians, commercial special- ists, editors, translators, compilers, librarians, clerks and stenographers. The Union publishes a Monthly Bulletin in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French, which is a careful record of Pan American progress. It also publishes numerous special reports and pam- phlets on various subjects of practical information. Its library, the Columbus Memorial Library, con- tains 30,000 volumes, 15,000 photographs, 100,000 index cards, and a large collection of maps. The Union is housed in a beautiful building erected through the munificence of Andrew Carnegie.