Ipswich High School - Tiger Yearbook (Ipswich, MA)

Page 24 text:

Graduation Essays OUR RELATIONS WITH LATIN AMERICA By Arthur F.. Morgan I N the midst of the chaotic world state and the harsh conflict of stub- born forces, it is comforting to note the peaceful, willing cooperation that dom- inates our Pan American Conferences and to learn that people have not for- gotten how to be friendly and kind with each other. This spirit of coop- eration has ' not sprung up overnight, but only by careful attention and tender nursing has it been cultivated. We must be on guard lest our newly-developed seedling be trampled by our old habits and trade methods. There is an urgent necessity to keep this seedling growing and multiplying so that our system of government may be firmly established. Our progress so far has been comparatively small; our Southern neighbors are hesitant and dubious in their relations with the United States, still remembering the “Yankee imperialism” and the “dollar diplomacy” that held such dominating sway over the markets in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and still mis- trusting as they comply. The foremost reason for promoting better relations with Latin America is the securing of more harmonious ac- cord and, ultimately, real and lasting peace. In each of the Pan American conferences a greater harmony has been shown: a true desire for peace has been the spur, urging a united effort to out- law war and aggression, substituting in their place arbitration and friendliness. In the fast-gathering clouds of war where all countries seek to strengthen themselves by alliances and buffer coun- tries, it is significant that we should try to make friends with the Latin Ameri- cans, to remain on a scale of equality with them. We need to make them feel that they are an integral part of our life and that their affairs arouse con- siderable concern in the United States. Now in this war-torn world, with ocean lanes and commercial ties smashed, we need urgently the economic cooperation of our Southern neighbors as well as sympathetic understanding. Our trade with Europe was shattered just as was Latin America’s. This fact should bring closer relations and greater dependence upon each other. Each country is confronted with the same problems — where to sell her products? where to find sources of raw material? how to develop these resources for future trade? Economic cooperation will never be attained unless we destroy the little nationalism that every coun- try, yes, even the United States, has so selfishly built up. Tariff barriers will 22

Page 23 text:

But the next morning A buried crocus, A closed-in sky, Grey slush. Long stockings, A stiff, cold Robin. — Ruth Wilson NIGHT HAS A CLOCK OF HER OWN Night has a clock of her own With minutes of beech leaves and crickets’ wings And now and iKen a far-off owl’s cry; And the hours slither slowly away, in the darkness. But when morning approaches, Time leaps fast; For a raucus cock ' s crow Tells us at last. — Ruth Wilson 21

Page 25 text:

have to be razed, and the spirit of pro- tection must be crushed and destroyed forever. With the death of these age- old pirates, and the birth of reciprocal trade treaties, free trade in the Western Hemisphere and even throughout the world will not be far off. No longer shall we need to use our diplomatic staff and government pres- sure to force our surplus products on Latin America. No longer will Latin America be a good field for rich profit and exploitation. But with the advent of this new internationalism, we shall enjoy enduring prosperity and happi- ness together. But the most important need which must be present if both economic coop- eration ,and hemispheric solidarity are to be successful is a closer understanding between the Latin Americans and the people of the United States. The ruler of each country must have public opin- ion behind him because diplomatic con- tracts and international agreements cannot be terminated successfully if the people of the countries do not agree on their compromises. We must let the cultural forces of Latin America have free play so that we may have a har- mony of spiritual aims and a practical unity of resources. If these two ob- jectives are achieved, the perfect union of people, cultures, and trade relations will be in sight. The best way to pro- mote our Good Neighbor Policy is to act neighborly and to get acquainted wfth our neighbors. Through the ex- change of literature we may become better acquainted with our Latin Ameri- can brothers. Only an intimate know- ledge of their desires, shortcomings, successes, and failures and everything else that describes them as real human beings will make the Latin Americans seem more human and alive. Many impediments have fallen in the path of Pan American progress. We have tripped over tariffs, we have stumbled over imperialism, and we have often been entangled with disputes and revolutions. Some of these impedi- ments were the direct results of our foreign policies; others were unavoid- able. But we must assume the blame for kindling the hatred that has burned against us for many years. We have allowed our mad ambition and lust for wealth and power to obscure our con- science while dealing with trade in ruthless, cunning ways. We have looked on our Southern neighbors only as good prospects for exploitation. We have disregarded them as a cultural or in- telligent people; we have considerd them ignorant and crude, fit only to be dominated and swindled; our only in- terests were benefiting our own busi- nesses and amassing great fortunes from the Latin American market. The main obstacle to Pan American- ism is found in the corrupt practices that we employed to sell our products at high prices and to crowd out any competition. We have exploited their resources and have persistently held the Latin American market in our powerful autocratic hold. If competition or ill- 23