投诉 阅读记录

第5章

ThiswasCiprianoCastro,thegreatestinternationalnuisanceoftheearlytwentiethcentury。Arude,arrogant,fearless,energetic,capriciousmountaineerandcattleman,heregardedforeignersnolessthanhisowncountryfolk,itwouldseem,asobjectsforhisparticularscorn,displeasure,exploitation,oramusement,asthecasemightbe。HewasgreatlyangeredbythewayinwhichforeignersindisputewithlocalofficialsavoidedaresorttoVenezuelancourtsand——stillworse——rejectedtheirdecisionsandappealedinsteadtotheirdiplomaticrepresentativesforprotection。Hedeclaredsuchaproceduretobeanaffronttothenationaldignity。YetforeignerswereusuallycorrectinarmingthatjudgesappointedbyanarbitraryPresidentwerelittlemorethanfigureheads,incapableofdispensingjustice,evenweretheysoinclined。

Jealousnotonlyofhispersonalprestigebutofwhatheimagined,orpretendedtoimagine,weretherightsofasmallnation,CastrotriedthroughouttoportraythesituationinsuchalightastoinducetheotherHispanicrepublicsalsotoviewforeigninterferenceasadireperiltotheirownindependenceandsovereignty;andhefurtherendeavoredtoinvolvetheUnitedStatesinastrugglewithEuropeanpowersasameanspossiblyoftestingtheefficacyoftheMonroeDoctrineoroflayingbarebeforetheworldtheevilnatureofAmericanimperialisticdesigns。

Bytheyear1901,inwhichVenezuelaadoptedanotherconstitution,therevolutionarydisturbanceshadmateriallydiminishedtherevenuesfromthecustoms。FurthermoreCastro’sregulationsexactingmilitaryserviceofallmalesbetweenfourteenandsixtyyearsofagehadfilledtheprisonstooverflowing。Manyforeignerswhohadsufferedinconsequenceresortedtomeasuresofself—defense——amongthemrepresentativesofcertainAmericanandBritishasphaltcompanieswhichwereworkingconcessionsgrantedbyCastro’spredecessors。Thoughfamiliarwithwhatcommonlyhappenstothosewhohandlepitch,theyhadnotscrupledtoaidsomeofCastro’senemies。Castroforthwithimposedonthemenormousfineswhichamountedpracticallytoaconfiscationoftheirrights。

WhiletheUnitedStatesandGreatBritainwereexpostulatingoverthisbehaviorofthedespot,FrancebrokeoffdiplomaticrelationswithVenezuelabecauseofCastro’srefusaleithertopayortosubmittoarbitrationcertainclaimswhichhadoriginatedinpreviousrevolutions。Germany,aggrievedinsimilarfashion,contemplatedaseizureofthecustomsuntilitsdemandsforredressweresatisfied。AndthencameItalywithlikecausesofcomplaint。Asifthesecomplicationswerenotsufficient,VenezuelacametoblowswithColombia。

AstheforeignpressureonCastrosteadilyincreased,LuisMariaDrago,theArgentineMinisterofForeignAffairs,formulatedin1902thedoctrinewithwhichhisnamehasbeenassociated。Itstatedinsubstancethatforceshouldneverbeemployedbetweennationsforthecollectionofcontractualdebts。Encouragedbythisapparenttokenofsupportfromasisterrepublic,Castrodefiedhisarrayofforeignadversariesmorevigorouslythanever,declaringthathemightfinditneedfultoinvadetheUnitedStates,bywayofNewOrleans,toteachitthelessonitdeserved!Butwhenheattempted,inthefollowingyear,toclosetheportsofVenezuelaasameansofbringinghisnativeantagoniststoterms,GreatBritain,Germany,andItalyseizedhiswarships,blockadedthecoast,andbombardedsomeofhisforts。ThereupontheUnitedStatesinterposedwithasuggestionthatthedisputebelaidbeforetheHagueTribunal。AlthoughCastroyielded,hedidnotfailtohaveaclauseinsertedinanew"constitution"requiringforeignerswhomightwishtoentertherepublictoshowcertificatesofgoodcharacterfromtheGovernmentsoftheirrespectivecountries。

TheseincidentsgavemuchfoodforthoughttoCastroaswellastohissoberercompatriots。TheEuropeanpowershaddisplayedanapparentwillingnesstohavetheUnitedStates,ifitchosetodoso,assumetheroleofaNewWorldpolicemanandfinancialguarantor。Wereittoassumetheseduties,backwardrepublicsintheCaribbeananditsvicinitywerelikelytohavetheiraffairs,internalaswellasexternal,supervisedbythebignationinordertowardoffEuropeanintervention。Atthismoment,indeed,theUnitedStateswasinterveninginPanama。TheprospectarousedinmanyHispaniccountriesthefearofa"Yankeeperil"greatereventhanthatemanatingfromEurope。Insteadofbeingakindlyanddisinterestedprotectorofsmallneighbors,the"ColossusoftheNorth"appearedrathertoresembleapoliticalandcommercialogrebentuponswallowingthemtosatisfy"manifestdestiny。"

Havingsucceededinputtingaroundhisheadanaureoleoflocalpopularity,Castroin1905pickedanewsetofpartiallyjustifiedquarrelswiththeUnitedStates,GreatBritain,France,Italy,Colombia,andevenwiththeNetherlands,arisingoutofthedepredationsofrevolutionists;butanarmedmenacefromtheUnitedStatesinducedhimtodesistfromhisplans。Hecontentedhimselfaccordinglywithissuingadecreeofamnestyforallpoliticaloffendersexcepttheleaders。When"reelected,"hecarriedhismagnanimitysofarastoresignawhileinfavoroftheVicePresident,statingthat,ifhisretirementweretobringpeaceandconcord,hewouldmakeitpermanent。Butashesawtoitthathistemporarywithdrawalshouldnothavethishappyresult,hecamebackagaintohisfirmerpositionafewmonthslater。

VentinghiswrathupontheNetherlandsbecauseitsministerhadreportedtohisGovernmentanoutbreakofcholeraatLaGuaira,thechiefseaportofVenezuela,thedictatorlaidanembargoonDutchcommerce,seizeditsships,anddenouncedtheDutchfortheirallegedfailuretocheckfilibusteringfromtheirislandsoffthecoast。Whentheministerprotested,Castroexpelledhim。

ThereupontheNetherlandsinstitutedablockadeoftheVenezuelanports。WhatmighthavehappenedifCastrohadremainedmuchlongerincharge,maybeguessed。Towardthecloseof1908,however,hedepartedforEuropetoundergoacourseofmedicaltreatment。HardlyhadheleftVenezuelanshoreswhenJuanVicenteGomez,theable,astute,andvigorousVicePresident,managedtosecurehisownelectiontothepresidencyandanimmediaterecognitionfromforeignstates。UnderhisdirectionalloftheinternationaltanglesofVenezuelawerestraightenedout。

In1914thecountryadopteditseleventhconstitutionandtherebylengthenedthepresidentialtermtosevenyears,shortenedthatofmembersofthelowerhouseoftheCongresstofour,determineddefinitelythenumberofStatesintheunion,alteredtheapportionmentoftheircongressionalrepresentation,andenlargedthepowersofthefederalGovernment——or,rather,thoseofitsexecutivebranch!In1914GomezresignedofficeinfavoroftheVicePresident,andsecuredanappointmentinsteadascommanderinchiefofthearmy。Thisprocedurewaspromptlydenouncedasatricktoevadetheconstitutionalprohibitionoftwoconsecutiveterms。AyearlaterhewasunanimouslyelectedPresident,thoughheneverformallytooktheoathofoffice。

WhatevermaybethoughtofthepoliticalwaysandmeansofthisnewGuzminBlancotomaintainhimselfasapowerbehindoronthepresidentialthrone,GomezgaveVenezuelaanadministrationofasortverydifferentfromthatofhisimmediatepredecessor。Hesuppressedvariousgovernmentmonopolies,removedotherobstaclestothematerialadvancementofthecountry,andreducedthenationaldebt。HedidmuchalsotoimprovethesanitaryconditionsatLaGuaira,andhepromotededucation,especiallytheteachingofforeignlanguages。

GomezneverthelesshadtokeepawatchfuleyeonthepartisansofCastro,whobrokeoutinrevoltwhenevertheyhadanopportunity。

TheUnitedStates,GreatBritain,France,theNetherlands,Denmark,Cuba,andColombiaeyedthemovementsoftheex—dictatornervously,asEuropeanpowerslongagowerewonttodointhecaseofacertainManofDestiny,andbarredhimoutofboththeirpossessionsandVenezuelaitself。Internationalpatience,neverJob—like,hadbeentoosorelyvexedtopermithisreturn。

Nevertheless,afterthemanneroftheancientpersecutoroftheBiblicalmartyr,Castrodidnotrefrainfromgoingtoandfrointheearth。Infacthestill"walkethabout"seekingtorecoverhisholduponVenezuela!

CHAPTERX。MEXICOINREVOLUTION

When,in1910,likeseveralofitssisterrepublics,Mexicocelebratedthecentennialanniversaryofitsindependence,theeraofpeaceandprogressinauguratedbyPorfirioDiazseemedlikelytolastindefinitely,forhewasenteringuponhiseighthtermasPresident。Brilliantashiscareerhadbeen,however,andgreatlyasMexicohadprosperedunderhisrigidrule,asullendiscontenthadbeenbrewing。ThecountrythathadhadbutonecontinuousPresidentintwenty—sixyearswasdestinedtohavesomefourteenchiefmagistratesinlessthanaquarterofthattime,andtosurpassallitspreviousrecordsforrapidityinpresidentialsuccession,byhavingoneexecutivewhoissaidtohaveheldofficeforpreciselyfifty—sixminutes!

IthasoftenbeenassertedthatthereasonforthedownfallofDiazandthelapseofMexicointotheunhappyconditionsofahalfcenturyearlierwasthathehadgrowntoooldtokeepafirmgriponthesituation。Ithasalsobeendeclaredthathisinsistenceuponreelectionandupontheelevationofhisownpersonalcandidatetothevicepresidency,asasuccessorincaseofhisretirement,occasionedhisoverthrow。Thetruthofthematteristhatthesecircumstanceswereonlyincidentaltohisdownfall;therealcausesofrevolutionlaydeeprootedinthehistoryofthesetwenty—sixyears。Themostsignificantfeatureoftherevoltwasitsciviliancharacter。Awidespreadpublicopinionhadbeencreated;anationalconsciousnesshadbeenawakenedwhichwasintolerantofabusesanddeterminedupontheirremovalatanycost;andthispublicopinionandnationalconsciousnesswereproductsofgeneraleducation,whichhadbroughttotheforeanumberofintelligentmeneagertoparticipateinpublicaffairsandyetbarredoutbecauseoftheirunwillingnesstosupporttheexistingregime。

Someonehasremarked,andrightly,thatDiazinhiszealforthematerialadvancementofMexico,mistookthetangiblewealthofthecountryforitswelfare。Desirableandevennecessaryasthatmaterialprogresswas,itproducedonlyaone—sidedprosperity。

Diazwassingularlydeaftothejustcomplaintsofthepeopleofthelaboringclasses,who,asmanufacturingandotherindustrialenterprisesdeveloped,wereresolvedtobettertheirconditions。

Inthecountryatlargethediscontentwasstillstronger。

Throughoutmanyoftheruraldistrictsgeneraladvancementhadbeenretardedbecauseoftheholdingofhugeareasoffertilelandbyacomparativelyfewrichfamilies,whodidlittletoimproveitandwerecontentwithsmallreturnsfromthelaborofthrongsofunskillednativecultivators。Wretchedlypaidandhoused,andtoilinglonghours,theworkerslivedliketheserfsofmedievaldaysorastheirownancestorsdidincolonialtimes。

Ignorant,poverty—stricken,liableatanymomenttobedispossessedofthetinypatchofgroundonwhichtheyraisedafewhillsofcornorbeans,mostofthemwerenaturallyasimple,peacefulfolkwho,inspiteoftheirmisfortunes,mighthavegoneonindefinitelywiththeirdrudgeryinahopelessapatheticfashion,unlesstheirlatentsavageinstinctshappenedtobearousedbydrinkandtheprospectofplunder。Ontheotherhand,theintelligentamongthem,knowingthatinsomeofthenorthernStatesoftherepublicwageswerehigherandtreatmentfairer,feltasenseofwrongwhich,likethatofthelaboringclassinthetowns,wasallthemoredangerousbecauseitwasnotallowedtofindexpression。

DiazthoughtthatwhatMexicorequiredaboveeverythingelsewasthedevelopmentofindustrialefficiencyandfinancialstrength,assuredbyamaintenanceofabsoluteorder。Thoughdisposedtodojusticeinindividualcases,hewouldtoleratenoclassmovementsofanykind。Laborunions,strikes,andothereffortsatlighteningtheburdenoftheworkersheregardedasseditiousanddeservingofseverepunishment。Inordertoattractcapitalfromabroadasthebestmeansofexploitingthevastresourcesofthecountry,hewaswillingtogotoanylength,itwouldseem,inguaranteeingprotection。Smallwonder,therefore,thatthepeoplewhosharedinnoneoftheimmediateadvantagesfromthatsourceshouldhavemutteredthatMexicowasthe"motherofforeignersandthestepmotherofMexicans。"And,sincesomuchofthecapitalcamefromtheUnitedStates,theantiforeignsentimentsingledAmericansoutforitsparticulardislike。

IfDiazappearedunabletoappreciatethesignificanceoftheeducationalandindustrialawakening,hewasnolessobliviousofthepoliticaloutcome。Heknew,ofcourse,thattheMexicanconstitutionmadeimpossibledemandsuponthepoliticalcapacityofthepeople。HewashimselfmainlyofIndianbloodandhebelievedthatheunderstoodthetemperamentandlimitationsofmostMexicans。Knowinghowtenaciouslytheyclungtopoliticalnotions,hebelievedthatitwassaferandwisertoforego,atleastforatime,realpopulargovernmentandtoconcentratepowerinthehandsofastrongmanwhocouldmaintainorder。

Accordingly,backedbyhispoliticaladherents,knownascientificos(doctrinaires),someofwhomhadacquiredasinisterascendancyoverhim,andalsobytheChurch,thelandedproprietors,andtheforeigncapitalists,Diazcenteredtheentireadministrationmoreandmoreinhimself。Electionsbecamemerefarces。Notonlythefederalofficialsthemselvesbutthestategovernors,themembersofthestatelegislatures,andallothersinauthorityduringthelateryearsofhisruleowedtheirselectionprimarilytohimandheldtheirpositionsonlyifpersonallyloyaltohim。ConfidentofhissupportandcertainthatprotestsagainstmisgovernmentwouldberegardedbythePresidentasseditious,manyofthemabusedtheirpoweratwill。

Notableamongthemwerethelocalofficials,calledjefespoliticos,whosecontrolofthepoliceforceenabledthemtoindulgeinpracticesofintimidationandextortionwhichultimatelybecameunendurable。

ThoughsymptomsofpopularwrathagainsttheDiazregime,ordiazpotismastheMexicanstermedit,wereapparentasearlyas1908,itwasnotuntilJanuary,1911,thattheactualrevolutioncame。ItwasheadedbyFranciscoI。Madero,amemberofawealthyanddistinguishedfamilyoflandedproprietorsinoneofthenorthernStates。WhattherevolutionistsdemandedinsubstancewastheretirementofthePresident,VicePresident,andCabinet;

areturntotheprincipleofnoreelectiontothechiefmagistracy;aguaranteeoffairelectionsatalltimes;thechoiceofcapable,honest,andimpartialjudges,jefespoliticos,andotherofficials;and,inparticular,aseriesofagrarianandindustrialreformswhichwouldbreakupthegreatestates,createpeasantproprietorships,andbettertheconditionsoftheworkingclasses。Disposedatfirsttotreattheinsurrectionlightly,Diazsoonfoundthathehadunderestimateditsstrength。Grantsofsomeofthedemandsandpromisesofreformweremetwithadoggedinsistenceuponhisownresignation。Then,astherebellionspreadtothesouthward,themasterfuloldmanrealizedthathisthirty—oneyearsofrulewereatanend。Onthe25thofMay,therefore,hegaveuphispowerandsailedforEurope。

MaderowaschosenPresidentfivemonthslater,buttherevolutionsoonpassedbeyondhiscontrol。Hewasasincereidealist,ifnotsomethingofavisionary,actuatedbyhumaneandkindlysentiments,buthelackedresolutenessandtheartofmanagingmen。Hewastooprolific,also,ofpromiseswhichhemusthaveknownhecouldnotkeep。Yieldingtofamilyinfluence,helethisfollowersgetoutofhand。AmbitiouschieftainsandgroupsofRadicalsblockedandthwartedhimateveryturn。Whenhecouldfindnomeansofcarryingouthisprogramwithoutwholesaleconfiscationandthedisruptionofbusinessinterests,hewasaccusedofabandoninghisduty。Oneofficerafteranotherdesertedhimandturnedrebel。BrigandageandinsurrectionsweptoverthecountryandthreatenedtoinvolveitinuglycomplicationswiththeUnitedStatesandEuropeanpowers。Atlength,inFebruary,1913,cametheblowthatputanendtoallofMadero’seffortsandaspirations。AmilitaryuprisinginthecityofMexicomadehimprisoner,forcedhimtoresign,andsetupaprovisionalgovernmentunderthedictatorshipofVictorianoHuerta,oneofhischieflieutenants。TwoweekslaterbothMaderoandtheVicePresidentwereassassinatedwhileontheirwaysupposedlytoaplaceofsafety。

HuertawasaroughsoldierofIndianorigin,possessedofunusualforceofcharacterandstrengthofwill,ruthless,cunning,andinbearingalternatelydignifiedandvulgar。Acientificoinpoliticalfaith,hewasdisposedtorestoretheDiazregime,sofarasanapplicationofshrewdnessandforcecouldmakeitpossible。Butfromtheoutsethefoundanobstacleconfrontinghimthathecouldnotsurmount。ThoughacknowledgedbyEuropeancountriesandbymanyoftheHispanicrepublics,hecouldnotwinrecognitionfromtheUnitedStates,eitherasprovisionalPresidentorasacandidateforregularelectiontotheoffice。

WhetherpersonallyresponsibleforthemurderofMaderoornot,hewasnotregardedbytheAmericanGovernmentasentitledtorecognition,onthegroundthathewasnotthechoiceoftheMexicanpeople。Initsrefusaltorecognizeanadministrationsetupmerelybybruteforce,theUnitedStateswasupheldbyArgentina,Brazil,Chile,andCuba。TheeliminationofHuertabecamethechieffeatureforawhileofitsMexicanpolicy。

MeanwhilethefollowersofMaderoandthepronouncedRadicalshadfoundanewnorthernleaderinthepersonofVenustianoCarranza。

TheycalledthemselvesConstitutionalists,asindicativeoftheirpurposetoreestablishtheconstitutionandtochooseasuccessortoMaderoinaconstitutionalmanner。Whattheyreallydesiredwasthoseradicalchangesalongsocial,industrial,andpoliticallines,whichMaderohadchampionedintheory。TheysoughttointroduceaspeciesofsocialisticregimethatwouldprovidetheMexicanswithanopportunityforself—regeneration。WhileDiazhadbelievedineconomicprogresssupportedbythegreatlandedproprietors,themoralinfluenceoftheChurch,andtheapplicationofforeigncapital,theConstitutionalists,personifiedinCarranza,wereconvincedthattheseagencies,ifleftfreeandundisturbedtoworktheirwill,wouldruinMexico。

Thoughnotexactlyantiforeignintheirattitude,theywishedtocurbthepoweroftheforeigner;theywouldaccepthisaidwheneverdesirablefortheeconomicdevelopmentofthecountry,buttheywouldnotsubmittohisvirtualcontrolofpublicaffairs。InanycasetheywouldtoleratenointerferencebytheUnitedStates。CompromisewiththeHuertaregime,therefore,wasimpossible。Huerta,the"strongman"oftheDiaztype,mustgo。

Onthispoint,atleast,theConstitutionalistswereinthoroughagreementwiththeUnitedStates。

Avarietyofinternationalcomplicationsensued。BothHuertistasandCarranzistasperpetratedoutragesonforeigners,whichevokedsharpprotestsandthreatsfromtheUnitedStatesandEuropeanpowers。Whilecarefulnottorecognizehisopponentsofficially,theAmericanGovernmentresortedtoallkindsofmeanstooustthedictator。Anembargowaslaidontheexportofarmsandmunitions;alleffortstoprocurefinancialhelpfromabroadwerebalked。ThepowerofHuertawaswaningperceptiblyandthatoftheConstitutionalistswasincreasingwhenanincidentthatoccurredinApril,1914,atTampicobroughtmatterstoaclimax。

AnumberofAmericansailorswhohadgoneashoretoobtainsupplieswerearrestedandtemporarilydetained。TheUnitedStatesdemandedthattheAmericanflagbesalutedasreparationfortheinsult。UpontherefusalofHuertatocomply,theUnitedStatessentanavalexpeditiontooccupyVeraCruz。

BothCarranzaandHuertaregardedthismoveasequivalenttoanactofwar。Argentina,Brazil,andChilethenofferedtheirmediation。ButtheconferencearrangedforthispurposeatNiagaraFalls,Canada,hadbeforeitataskaltogetherimpossibleofaccomplishment。ThoughCarranzawaswillingtohavetheConstitutionalistsrepresented,ifthediscussionrelatedsolelytotheimmediateissuebetweentheUnitedStatesandHuerta,hedeclinedtoextendthescopeoftheconferencesoastoadmittherightoftheUnitedStatestointerfereintheinternalaffairsofMexico。Theconferenceaccomplishednothingsofarastheimmediateissuewasconcerned。Thedictatordidnotmakereparationforthe"affrontsandindignities"hehadcommitted;

buthisdaywasover。TheadvanceoftheConstitutionalistssouthwardcompelledhiminJulytoabandonthecapitalandleavethecountry。FourmonthslatertheAmericanforceswerewithdrawnfromVeraCruz。The"ABC"Conference,howeverbarrenitwasofdirectresults,helpedtoallaysuspicionsoftheUnitedStatesinHispanicAmericaandbroughtappreciablynearera"concertofthewesternworld。"

WhilefarfromexercisingfullcontrolthroughoutMexico,the"firstchief"oftheConstitutionalistswaseasilythedominantfigureinthesituation。Athomearanchman,inpublicaffairsastatesmanofconsiderableability,knowinghowtoinsistandyethowtotemporize,Carranzacarriedonastruggle,bothinarmsandindiplomacy,whichsingledhimoutasaremarkablecharacter。ShrewdlyawareoftheadvantageouscircumstancesaffordedhimbythewarinEurope,heturnedthemtoaccountwithadegreeofskillthatblockedeveryattemptatdefeatorcompromise。NomatterhowserioustheoppositiontohiminMexicoitself,howmenacingtheattitudeoftheUnitedStates,orhowpersuasivetheconciliatorydispositionofHispanicAmericannations,heclungstubbornlyandtenaciouslytohisprogram。

EvenafterHuertahadbeeneliminated,Carranza’spositionwasnotassured,forFrancisco,or"Pancho,"Villa,achieftainwhosepersonalqualitiesresembledthoseofthefallendictator,wasequallydeterminedtoeliminatehim。Forabriefmoment,indeed,peacereigned。Underanallegedagreementbetweenthem,aconventionofConstitutionalistofficerswastochooseaprovisionalPresident,whoshouldbeineligibleasacandidateforthepermanentpresidencyattheregularelections。WhenCarranzaassumedbothofthesepositions,Villadeclaredhisactaviolationoftheirunderstandingandinsisteduponhisretirement。InasmuchastheconventionwasdominatedbyVilla,the"firstchief"decidedtoignoreitselectionofaprovisionalPresident。

ThestrugglebetweentheConventionalistsheadedbyVillaandtheConstitutionalistsunderCarranzaplungedMexicointoworsediscordandmiserythanever。Indeeditbecameasortofthree—corneredcontest。ThethirdpartywasEmilianoZapata,anIndianbandit,nominallyasupporterofVillabutactuallyfavorabletoneitheroftherivals。Operatingnearthecapital,heplunderedConventionalistsandConstitutionalistswithequalimpartiality,andasadiversionoccasionallyoccupiedthecityitself。ThesecircumstancesgaveforcetothesayingthatMexicowasa"landwherepeacebreaksoutonceinawhile!"

Earlyin1915Carranzaproceededtoissueanumberofradicaldecreesthatexasperatedforeignersalmostbeyondendurance。

Ratherthanresorttoextrememeasuresagain,however,theUnitedStatesinvokedthecooperationoftheHispanicrepublicsandproposedaconferencetodevisesomesolutionoftheMexicanproblem。Togivetheproposedconferenceawiderrepresentation,itinvitednotonlythe"ABC"powers,butBolivia,Uruguay,andGuatemalatoparticipate。MeetingatWashingtoninAugust,themediatorsencounteredthesamedifficultywhichhadconfrontedtheirpredecessorsatNiagaraFalls。Thoughtheotherchieftainsassented,Carranza,nowcertainofsuccess,declinedtoheedanyproposalofconciliation。Characterizingeffortsofthekindasanunwarrantedinterferenceintheinternalaffairsofasisternation,hewarnedtheHispanicrepublicsagainstsettingupsodangerousaprecedent。InreplyArgentinastatedthattheconferenceobeyeda"loftyinspirationofPan—Americansolidarity,and,insteadoffindinganycauseforalarm,theMexicanpeopleshouldseeinitaproofoftheirfriendlyconsiderationthatherfateevokesinus,andcallsforthourgoodwishesforherpacificationanddevelopment。"However,astheonlyapparentescapefrommorewatchfulwaitingorfromarmedinterventiononthepartoftheUnitedStates,inOctoberthesevenGovernmentsdecidedtoacceptthefactsastheystood,andaccordinglyrecognizedCarranzaasthedefactorulerofMexico。

Enragedatthisfavorshowntohisrival,VilladetermineddeliberatelytoprovokeAmericaninterventionbyamurderousraidonatowninNewMexicoinMarch,1916。WhentheUnitedStatesdispatchedanexpeditiontoavengetheoutrage,CarranzaprotestedenergeticallyagainstitsviolationofMexicanterritoryanddemandeditswithdrawal。Severalclashes,infact,occurredbetweenAmericansoldiersandCarranzistas。Neithertheexpeditionitself,however,nordiplomaticeffortstofindsomemethodofcooperationwhichwouldpreventconstanttroublealongthefrontierservedanyusefulpurpose,sinceVillaapparentlycouldnotbecapturedandCarranzarefusedtoyieldtodiplomaticpersuasion。Carranzathenproposedthatajointcommissionbeappointedtosettlethesevexedquestions。Eventhisdeviceprovedwhollyunsatisfactory。TheMexicanswouldnotconcedetherightoftheUnitedStatestosendanarmedexpeditionintotheircountryatanytime,andtheAmericansrefusedtoacceptlimitationsonthekindoftroopsthattheymightemployoronthezoneoftheiroperations。InJanuary,1917,thejointcommissionwasdissolvedandtheAmericansoldierswerewithdrawn。Againthe"firstchief"hadwon!

Onthe5thofFebruaryaconventionassembledatQueretaropromulgatedaconstitutionembodyingsubstantiallyalloftheradicalprogramthatCarranzahadanticipatedinhisdecrees。

Besidesprovidingforanelaborateimprovementintheconditionofthelaboringclassesandforsuchadivisionofgreatestatesasmightsatisfytheirparticularneeds,thenewconstitutionimposeddrasticrestrictionsuponforeignersandreligiousbodies。Underitsterms,foreignerscouldnotacquireindustrialconcessionsunlesstheywaivedtheirtreatyrightsandconsentedtoregardthemselvesforthepurposeasMexicancitizens。InallsuchcasespreferencewastobeshownMexicansoverforeigners。

Ecclesiasticalcorporationswereforbiddentoownrealproperty。

Noprimaryschoolandnocharitableinstitutioncouldbeconductedbyanyreligiousmissionordenomination,andreligiouspublicationsmustrefrainfromcommentingonpublicaffairs。Thepresidentialtermwasreducedfromsixyearstofour;reelectionwasprohibited;andtheofficeofVicePresidentwasabolished。

When,onthe1stofMay,VenustianoCarranzawaschosenPresident,Mexicohaditsfirstconstitutionalexecutiveinfouryears。Afteracruelandobstinatelyintolerantstrugglethathadoccasionedindescribablesufferingfromdiseaseandstarvation,aswellastheusualslaughteranddestructionincidenttowar,thecountrybegantoenjoyoncemoreameasureofpeace。

Financialexhaustion,however,hadtobeovercomebeforerecuperationwaspossible。Industrialprogresshadbecomealmostparalyzed;vastquantitiesofdepreciatedpapermoneyhadtobewithdrawnfromcirculation;andanenormousarrayofclaimsforthelossofforeignlifeandpropertyhadrolledup。

CHAPTERXI。THEREPUBLICSOFTHECARIBBEAN

ThecourseofeventsincertainoftherepublicsinandaroundtheCaribbeanSeawarnedtheHispanicnationsthatindependencewasarelativeconditionandthatitmightvaryindirectratiowithnearnesstotheUnitedStates。After1906thispowerfulnorthernneighborshowedanunmistakabletendencytoextenditsinfluenceinvariousways。Herefiscalandpolicecontrolwasestablished;thereofficialrecognitionwaswithheldfromaPresidentwhohadsecuredofficebyunconstitutionalmethods。

Nonrecognitionpromisedtobeaneffectivewayofmaintainingaregimeoflawandorder,astheUnitedStatesunderstoodthoseterms。AssurancesfromtheUnitedStatesofthefullpoliticalequalityofallrepublics,bigorlittle,inthewesternhemispheredidnotalwayscarryconvictiontoSpanishAmericanears。ThesmallercountriesinandaroundtheCaribbeanSea,atleast,seemedlikelytobecomevirtuallyAmericanprotectorates。

LiketheirHispanicneighboronthenorth,thelittlerepublicsofCentralAmericawerealsoscenesofpoliticaldisturbance。

NoneofthemexceptPanamaescapedrevolutionaryuprisings,thoughthelossoflifeandpropertywasinsignificant。Ontheotherhand,intheseearlyyearsofthecenturythefivecountriesnorthofPanamamadesubstantialprogresstowardfederation。AsaSouthAmericanwriterhasexpressedit,theirpreviouseffortsinthatdirection"amidsumptuousfestivals,banquetsandothersolemnpublicacts"atwhichthey"intonedinlyricaccentsdailyhymnsfortheimperishablereunionoftheisthmianrepublics,"hadbeenasillusoryastheywerefrequent。

DespitethemediationoftheUnitedStatesandMexicoin1906,whilethelatterwasstillruledbyDiaz,thestruggleinwhichNicaragua,Honduras,Guatemala,andSalvadorhadbeenengagedwassoonrenewedbetweenthefirsttwobelligerents。Sincediplomaticinterpositionnolongeravailed,AmericanmarineswerelandedinNicaragua,andthebumptiousZelayawasinducedtohavehiscountrymeetitsneighborsinaconferenceatWashington。UndertheauspicesoftheUnitedStatesandMexico,inDecember,1907,representativesofthefiverepublicssignedaseriesofconventionsprovidingforpeaceandcooperation。Anarbitralcourtofjustice,tobeerectedinCostaRicaandcomposedofonejudgefromeachnation,wastodecideallmattersofdisputewhichcouldnotbeadjustedthroughordinarydiplomaticmeans。

Here,also,aninstituteforthetrainingofCentralAmericanteacherswastobeestablished。Annualconferencesweretodiscuss,andanofficeinGuatemalawastorecord,measuresdesignedtosecureuniformityinfinancial,commercial,industrial,sanitary,andeducationalregulations。Honduras,thestormcenterofweakness,wastobeneutralized。NoneoftheStateswasthereaftertorecognizeinanyofthemagovernmentwhichhadbeensetupinanillegalfashion。A"ConstitutionalActofCentralAmericanFraternity,"moreover,wasadoptedonbehalfofpeace,harmony,andprogress。Towardarealizationoftheseveralobjectsoftheconference,thePresidentsofthefiverepublicsweretoinvitetheircolleaguesoftheUnitedStatesandMexico,wheneverneedful,toappointrepresentatives,to"lendtheirgoodofficesinapurelyfriendlyway。"

Thoughmostoftheseagencieswerepromptlyputintooperation,theresultswerenotaltogethersatisfactory。Somediscords,tobesure,wereremovedbytreatiessettlingboundaryquestionsandprovidingforreciprocaltradeadvantages;butitisdoubtfulwhetherthearrangementsdevisedatWashingtonwouldhaveworkedatalliftheUnitedStateshadnotkeptthelittlecountriesunderacertainamountofobservation。WhattheCentralAmericansapparentlypreferredwastobeleftalone,someofthemtomindtheirownbusiness,otherstomindtheirneighbor’saffairs。

OfalltheCentralAmericancountriesHonduraswas,perhaps,theonemostafflictedwithpecuniarymisfortunes。In1909itsforeigndebt,alongwitharrearsofinterestunpaidforthirty—sevenyears,wasestimatedatupwardsof$110,000,000。Ofthisamountalargepartconsistedofloansobtainedfromforeigncapitalists,atmoreorlessextortionaterates,fortheconstructionofashortrailway,ofwhichlessthanhalfhadbeenbuilt。ThatrevolutionsshouldberatherchronicinalandwheresomuchmoneycouldbesquanderedandwherethetemperamentsofPresidentsandex—Presidentsweresobellicose,wasnaturalenough。WhentheUnitedStatescouldnotinducethewarringrivalstoabidebyfairelections,itsentaforceofmarinestooverawethemandgavewarningthatfurtherdisturbanceswouldnotbeallowed。

InNicaraguatheconditionsweresimilar。HereZelaya,restiveunderthelimitationssetbytheconferenceatWashington,yearnedtobecomethe"strongman"ofCentralAmerica,whowouldteachtheYankeestostoptheirmeddling。Buthisdownfallwasimminent。In1909,astheresultofhisexecutionoftwoAmericansoldiersoffortunewhohadtakenpartinarecentinsurrection,theUnitedStatesresolvedtotolerateZelayanolonger。Openlyrecognizingtheinsurgents,itforcedthedictatoroutofthecountry。Threeyearslater,whenaPresident—electstartedtoassumeofficebeforethelegallyappointedtime,aforceofAmericanmarinesatthecapitalconvincedhimthatsuchaprocedurewasundesirable。The"corruptandbarbarous"conditionsprevailinginZelaya’stime,hewasinformed,couldnotbetolerated。TheUnitedStates,infact,notifiedallpartiesinNicaraguathat,underthetermsoftheWashingtonconventions,ithada"moralmandatetoexertitsinfluenceforthepreservationofthegeneralpeaceofCentralAmerica。"Sincethoseagreementshadvestednoonewithauthoritytoenforcethem,suchaninterpretationoftheirlanguage,aimedapparentlyatalldisturbances,foreignaswellasdomestic,wasratherelastic!Atallevents,after1912,whenanewconstitutionwasadopted,thecountrybecamerelativelyquietandsomewhatprogressive。

Wheneverapoliticalflurrydidtakeplace,Americanmarineswereemployedtopreservethepeace。Manycitizens,therefore,declinedtovote,onthegroundthatthemoralandmaterialsupportthusfurnishedbythegreatnationtothenorthwardrendereditfutileforthemtoassumepoliticalresponsibilities。

MeanwhilenegotiationsbeganwhichwereultimatelytomakeNicaraguaafiscalprotectorateoftheUnitedStates。Americanofficialswerechosentoactasfinancialadvisersandcollectorsofcustoms,andfavorablearrangementswereconcludedwithAmericanbankersregardingthemonetarysituation;butitwasnotuntil1916thatatreatycoveringthissituationwasratified。

Accordingtoitsprovisions,inreturnforastipulatedsumtobeexpendedunderAmericandirection,NicaraguawastogranttotheUnitedStatestheexclusiveprivilegeofconstructingacanalthroughtheterritoryoftherepublicandtoleasetoittheCornIslandsandapartofFonsecaBay,onthePacificcoast,foruseasnavalstations。TheprospectofAmericaninterventionalarmedtheneighboringrepublics。Assertingthatthetreatyinfringedupontheirrespectiveboundaries,CostaRica,andSalvadorbroughtsuitagainstNicaraguabeforetheCentralAmericanCourt。

WiththeexceptionoftheNicaraguanrepresentative,thejudgesupheldthecontentionoftheplaintiffsthatthedefendanthadnorighttomakeanysuchconcessionswithoutpreviousconsultationwithCostaRica,Salvador,andHonduras,sinceallthreealikewereaffectedbythem。TheCourtobserved,however,thatitcouldnotdeclarethetreatyvoidbecausetheUnitedStates,oneofthepartiesconcerned,wasnotsubjecttoitsjurisdiction。Nicaraguadeclinedtoacceptthedecision;andtheUnitedStates,thecountryresponsiblefortheexistenceoftheCourtandpresumablyinterestedinhelpingtoenforceitsjudgment,allowedittogooutofexistencein1918ontheexpirationofitsten—yearterm。

TheeconomicsituationofCostaRicabroughtaboutastateofaffairswhollyunusualinCentralAmericanpolitics。ThePresident,AlfredoGonzalez,wishedtoreformthesystemoftaxationsothatafairershareofthepublicburdensshouldfallonthegreatlandholderswho,likemostoftheirbrethrenintheHispaniccountries,werepracticallyexempt。Thisproject,coupledwiththefactthatcertainAmericancitizensseekinganoilconcessionhadunderminedthepowerofthePresidentbywholesalebribery,inducedtheMinisterofWar,in1917,tostartarevoltagainsthim。Ratherthanshedthebloodofhisfellowcitizensformerepersonaladvantages,GonzalezsustainedthegoodreputationofCostaRicaforfreedomfromcivilcommotionsbyquietlyleavingthecountryandgoingtotheUnitedStatestopresenthiscase。Inconsequence,theAmericanGovernmentdeclinedtorecognizethedefactoruler。

PoliceandfiscalsupervisionbytheUnitedStateshascharacterizedtherecenthistoryofPanama。Notonlyhasaproposedincreaseinthecustomsdutiesbeendisallowed,butmorethanoncetheunrestattendingpresidentialelectionshasrequiredthecalmingpresenceofAmericanofficials。Asameansofforestallingoutbreaks,particularlyinviewofthecosmopolitanpopulationresidentontheIsthmus,therepublicenactedalawin1914whichforbadeforeignerstomixinlocalpoliticsandauthorizedtheexpulsionofnaturalizedcitizenswhoattackedtheGovernmentthroughthepressorotherwise。WiththeapprovaloftheUnitedStates,PanamaenteredintoanagreementwithAmericanfinanciersprovidingforthecreationofanationalbank,one—fourthofthedirectorsofwhichshouldbenamedbytheGovernmentoftherepublic。

ThesecondperiodofAmericanruleinCubalastedtill1909。

ControloftheGovernmentwasthenformallytransferredtoJoseMiguelGomez,thePresidentwhohadbeenchosenbytheLiberalsattheelectionsheldinthepreviousyear;buttheUnitedStatesdidnotceasetowatchoveritschiefCaribbeanward。AbittercontroversysoondevelopedintheCubanCongressovermeasurestoforbidthefurtherpurchaseoflandbyaliens,andtoinsurethatacertainpercentageofthepublicofficesshouldbeheldbycoloredcitizens。Thoughbothprojectsweredefeated,theyrevealedastrongantiforeignsentimentandmuchdissatisfactiononthepartofthenegropopulation。ItwasclearalsothatGomez,intendedtooustallconservativesfromoffice,foranobedientCongresspassedabillsuspendingthecivilservicerules。

ThepartisanshipofGomez,andhissupporters,togetherwiththeconstantinterferenceofmilitaryveteransinpoliticalaffairs,provokednumerousoutbreaks,whichledtheUnitedStates,in1912,towarnCubathatitmightagainbecompelledtointervene。

Eventually,whenanegroinsurrectionintheeasternpartoftheislandmenacedthesafetyofforeigners,Americanmarineswerelanded。AnotherinstanceofinterventionwastheobjectionbytheUnitedStatestoanemployers’liabilitylawthatwouldhavegivenamonopolyoftheinsurancebusinesstoaCubancompanytothedetrimentofAmericanfirms。

AftertheelectionofMarioMenocal,theConservativecandidate,tothepresidencyin1912,anotheroccasionforinterventionpresenteditself。Anamnestybill,originallydraftedforthepurposeoffreeingthecoloredinsurgentsandotheroffenders,wasamendedsoastoempowertheretiringPresidenttograntpardonbeforetrialtopersonswhomhissuccessorwishedtoprosecuteforwholesalecorruptioninfinancialtransactions。

Beforethebillpassed,however,noticewassentfromWashingtonthat,sincetheAmericanGovernmenthadtheauthoritytosupervisethefinancesoftherepublic,Gomezwouldbettervetothebill,andthisheaccordinglydid。

AsharpstrugglearosewhenitbecameknownthatMenocalwouldbeacandidateforreelection。TheLiberalmajorityintheCongresspassedabillrequiringthataPresidentwhosoughttosucceedhimselfshouldresigntwomonthsbeforetheelections。WhenMenocalvetoedthismeasure,hisopponentsdemandedthattheUnitedStatessupervisetheelections。Astheresultoftheelectionswasdoubtful,Gomezandhisfollowersresortedin1917

totheusualinsurrection;whereupontheAmericanGovernmentwarnedtherebelsthatitwouldnotrecognizetheirclaimsiftheywonbyforce。Activeaidfromthatquarter,aswellasthecaptureoftheinsurgentleader,causedthemovementtocollapseaftertheelectoralcollegehaddecidedinfavorofMenocal。

IntheDominicanRepublicdisturbanceswerefrequent,notwithstandingthefactthatAmericanofficialswereinchargeofthecustomhousesandbytheirpresencewereexpectedtoexertaquietinginfluence。Eventheadoption,in1908,ofanewconstitutionwhichprovidedfortheprolongationofthepresidentialtermtosixyearsandfortheabolitionoftheofficeofVicePresident——twostabilizingdevicesquitecommoninHispaniccountrieswherepersonalambitionispronetobeasourceofpoliticaltrouble——didnothelpmuchtorestoreorder。

TheassassinationofthePresidentandthepersistenceofage—longquarrelswithHaitioverboundariesmademattersworse。

Thereupon,in1913,theUnitedStatesservedformalnoticeontherebelliouspartiesthatitwouldnotonlyrefusetorecognizeanyGovernmentsetupbyforcebutwouldwithholdanyshareinthereceiptsfromthecustoms。AsthisproceduredidnotpreventarevolutionaryleaderfromdemandinghalfamilliondollarsasafinancialsedativeforhispoliticalnervesandfromcreatingmoretroublewhenthePresidentfailedtodispenseit,theheavyhandofanAmericannavalforceadministeredanotherkindofspecific,untilcommissionersfromPortoRicocouldarrivetosuperintendtheselectionofanewchiefmagistrate。

NotwithstandingtheprotestoftheDominicanGovernment,the"fairestandfreest"electionseverknowninthecountrywereheldunderthedirectionofthoseofficials——asa"bodyoffriendlyobservers"!

Howeveramicablethisarrangementseemed,itdidnotsmothertheflamesofdiscord。In1916,whenanAmericannavalcommandersuggestedthatarebelliousMinisterofWarleavethecapital,heagreedtodosoifthe"fairestandfreest"ofchosenPresidentswouldresign。Evenafterbothofthemhadcompliedwiththesuggestions,theindividualswhoassumedtheirrespectiveofficesweresoonatloggerheads。AccordinglytheUnitedStatesplacedtherepublicundermilitaryrule,untilaPresidentcouldbeelectedwhomightbeabletoretainhispostwithouttoomuch"friendlyobservation"fromWashington,andaMinisterofWarcouldbeappointedwhowouldrefrainfrommakingwaronthePresident!Thentheorganizationofanewpartytocombatthepreviousinordinatedisplayofpersonalitiesinpoliticscreatedsomehopethattherepublicwouldaccomplishitsownredemption。

OnlybecauseofitsrelationtothewarsofemancipationandtotheDominicanRepublic,needthenegrostateofHaiti,occupyingthewesternpartoftheCaribbeanisland,bementionedinconnectionwiththestoryoftheHispanicnations。SufficeittosaythatthefactthattheircolorwasdifferentandthattheyspokeavariantofFrenchinsteadofSpanishdidnotpreventtheinhabitantsofthisstatefromofferingafarworsespectacleofpoliticalandfinancialdemoralizationthandidtheirneighborstotheeastward。PerpetualcommotionsandrepeatedinterventionsbyAmericanandEuropeannavalforcesonbehalfoftheforeignresidents,eventuallymadeitimperativefortheUnitedStatestotakedirectchargeoftherepublic。In1916,byaconventionwhichplacedthefinancesunderAmericancontrol,createdanativeconstabularyunderAmericanofficers,andimposedanumberofotherrestraints,theUnitedStatesconvertedHaitiintowhatispracticallyaprotectorate。

CHAPTERXII。PAN—AMERICANISMANDTHEGREATWAR

WhiletheHispanicrepublicswereenteringuponthesecondcenturyoftheirindependentlife,theideaofacertaincommunityofinterestsbetweenthemselvesandtheUnitedStatesbegantoassumeafairlydefiniteform。ThoughemphasizedbyAmericanstatesmenandpublicistsinparticular,thenewpointofviewwasnotgenerallyunderstoodorappreciatedbythepeopleofeitherthiscountryoritsfellownationstothesouthward。Itseemed,nevertheless,topromiseaneffectivecooperationinspiritandactionbetweenthemandcamethereforetobecalled"Pan—Americanism。"

Thissentimentofinter—Americansolidaritysprangfromseveralsources。TheperiodicalconferencesoftheUnitedStatesanditssisterrepublicsgaveoccasionforaninterchangeofofficialcourtesiesandexpressionsofgoodfeeling。Doubtless,also,thepresenceofdelegatesfromtheHispaniccountriesattheinternationalgatheringsatTheHagueservedtoacquainttheworldatlargewiththestability,strength,wealth,andcultureoftheirrespectivelands。IndividualAmericanstookanactiveinterestintheirfellowsofHispanicstockandfoundtheirinterestreciprocated。Motivesofbusinessorpleasureandadesiretoobtainpersonalknowledgeaboutoneanotherledtovisitsandcountervisitsthatbecamesteadilymorefrequent。

Societieswerecreatedtoencouragethefriendshipandacquaintancethusformed。ScientificcongresseswereheldandinstituteswerefoundedinwhichboththeUnitedStatesandHispanicAmericawererepresented。Books,articles,andnewspaperaccountsaboutoneanother’scountrieswerepublishedinincreasingvolume。Educationalinstitutionsdevotedaconstantlygrowingattentiontointer—Americanaffairs。IndividualsandcommissionsweredispatchedbytheHispanicnationsandtheUnitedStatestostudyoneanother’sconditionsandtoconferaboutmattersofmutualconcern。SecretariesofState,MinistersofForeignAffairs,andotherdistinguishedpersonagesinterchangedvisits。Aboveall,thecommondangersandresponsibilitiesfallingupontheAmericasatlargeasaconsequenceoftheEuropeanwarseemedlikelytobringtheseveralnationsintoaharmonyoffeelingandrelationshiptowhichtheyhadneverbeforeattained。

Pan—Americanism,however,wasdestinedtoremainlargelyagenerousideal。TheactionoftheUnitedStatesinextendingitsdirectinfluenceoverthesmallrepublicsinandaroundtheCaribbeanarousedthesuspicionandalarmofHispanicAmericans,whostillfearedimperialisticdesignsonthepartofthatcountrynowmorethanevertheColossusoftheNorth。"TheartoforatoryamongtheYankees,"declaredaSouthAmericancritic,"islavishwithafraternalidealism;butstrongwillsenforcetheirimperialisticambitions。"ImpassionedspeakersandwritersadjuredtheghostofHispanicconfederationtoriseandconfrontthenewnorthernperil。TheyevenadvocatedanappealtoGreatBritain,Germany,orJapan,andtheyurgedclosereconomic,social,andintellectualrelationswiththecountriesofEurope。

ItwaswhiletheUnitedStateswasthuswideningthesphereofitsinfluenceintheCaribbeanthatthe"ABC"

powers——Argentina,Brazil,andChile——reachedanunderstandingwhichwasinasenseameasureofself—defense。Forsomeyearscordialrelationshadexistedamongthesethreenationswhichhadgrownsoremarkablyinstrengthandprestige。ItwasfeltthatbyunitedactiontheymightsetupintheNewWorldtheEuropeanprincipleofabalanceofpower,assumetheleadershipinHispanicAmerica,andserveinsomedegreeasacounterpoisetotheUnitedStates。NeverthelesstheyweredisposedtocooperatewiththeirnorthernneighborinthepeaceableadjustmentofconflictsinwhichotherHispaniccountrieswereconcerned,providedthatthemediationcarriedonbysucha"concertofthewesternworld"didnotincludeactualinterventionintheinternalaffairsofthecountriesinvolved。

Withthisattitudeofthepublicmind,itisnotstrangethattheHispanicrepublicsatlargeshouldhavebeeninclinedtolookwithscantfavoruponproposalsmadebytheUnitedStates,in1916,torenderthespiritofPan—Americanismmorepreciseinitsoperation。Theproposalsinsubstancewerethese:thatallthenationsofAmerica"mutuallyagreetoguaranteetheterritorialintegrity"ofoneanother;to"maintainarepublicanformofgovernment";toprohibitthe"exportationofarmstoanybutthelegallyconstitutedgovernments";andtoadoptlawsofneutralitywhichwouldmakeit"impossibletofilibusteringexpeditionstothreatenorcarryonrevolutionsinneighboringrepublics。"Theseproposalsappeartohavereceivednoformalapprovalbeyondwhatissignifiedbythediplomaticexpression"inprinciple。"

Consideringthedisparityinstrength,wealth,andprestigebetweenthenortherncountryanditssouthernfellows,suggestionsofthesortcouldbemadepracticableonlybylettingtheUnitedStatesdowhateveritmightthinkneedfultoaccomplishtheobjectswhichitsought。ObviouslytheHispanicnations,singlyorcollectively,wouldhardlyventuretotakeanysuchactionwithinthebordersoftheUnitedStatesitself,if,forexample,itfailedtomaintainwhat,intheiropinion,was"arepublicanformofgovernment。"AfullacceptanceoftheplanaccordinglywouldhaveamountedtoarecognitionofAmericanoverlordship,andthistheywerenaturallynotdisposedtoadmit。

ThecommonperilsanddutiesconfrontingtheAmericasasaresultoftheGreatWar,however,madeclosecooperationbetweentheHispanicrepublicsandtheUnitedStatesuptoacertainpointindispensable。TowardthattransatlanticstruggletheattitudeofallthenationsoftheNewWorldattheoutsetwassubstantiallythesame。Thoughstronglysympatheticonthewholewiththe"Allies"andnotablywithFrance,thesoutherncountriesneverthelessdeclaredtheirneutrality。Morethanthat,theytriedtoconvertneutralityintoaPan—Americanpolicy,insteadofregardingitasanofficialattitudetobeadoptedbytherepublicsseparately。Thuswhentheconflictoverseasbegantoinjuretherightsofneutrals,ArgentinaandothernationsurgedthatthecountriesoftheNewWorldjointlyagreetodeclarethatdirectmaritimecommercebetweenAmericanlandsshouldbeconsideredas"inter—Americancoastwisetrade,"andthatthemerchantshipsengagedinit,whatevertheflagunderwhichtheysailed,shouldbelookeduponasneutral。ThoughtheSouthAmericancountriesfailedtoenlistthesupportoftheirnorthernneighborinthisbolddeparturefrominternationalprecedent,theyfoundsomecompensationfortheirdisappointmentintheclosercommercialandfinancialrelationswhichtheyestablishedwiththeUnitedStates。

BecauseofthedependenceoftheHispanicnations,andespeciallythoseofthesoutherngroup,ontheintimacyoftheireconomictieswiththebelligerentsoverseas,theysufferedfromtheravagesofthestrugglemoreperhapsthanotherlandsoutsideofEurope。Negotiationsforprospectiveloansweredropped。

Industriesweresuspended,workonpublicimprovementswaschecked,andcommercebroughtalmosttoastandstill。Astherevenuesfelloffandreadymoneybecamescarce,drasticmeasureshadtobedevisedtomeetthefinancialstrain。Fortheprotectionofcredit,bankholidaysweredeclared,stockexchangeswereclosed,moratoriaweresetupinnearlyallthecountries,taxesanddutieswereincreased,radicalreductionsinexpenditurewereundertaken,andinafewcaseslargequantitiesofpapermoneywereissued。

WiththeEuropeanmarketthuswhollyorpartiallycutoff,theHispanicrepublicswereforcedtosupplytheconsequentshortagewithmanufacturedarticlesandothergoodsfromtheUnitedStatesandtosendthithertheirrawmaterialsinexchange。Totheirnorthernneighbortheyhadtoturnalsoforpecuniaryaid。A

Pan—AmericanfinancialconferencewasheldatWashingtonin1915,andaninternationalhighcommissionwasappointedtocarryitsrecommendationsintoeffect。GraduallymostoftheHispaniccountriescametoshowafavorabletradebalance。Then,asthewardrewintoitsfourthyear,severalofthemevenbegantoenjoygreatprosperity。ThatPan—Americanismhadnotmeantmuchmorethancooperationforeconomicendsseemedevidentwhen,onApril6,1917,theUnitedStatesdeclaredwaronGermany。Insteadoffollowingspontaneouslyinthewakeoftheirgreatnorthernneighbor,theHispanicrepublicsweredividedbyconflictingcurrentsofopinionandhesitatedastotheirpropercourseofprocedure。WhileamajorityofthemexpressedapprovalofwhattheUnitedStateshaddone,andwhileUruguayforitspartassertedthat"noAmericancountry,whichindefenseofitsownrightsshouldfinditselfinastateofwarwithnationsofothercontinents,wouldbetreatedasabelligerent,"MexicoveeredalmosttotheotherextremebyproposingthattherepublicsofAmericaagreetolayanembargoontheshipmentofmunitionstothewarringpowers。

Asamatteroffact,onlysevenoutofthenineteenHispanicnationssawfittoimitatetheexamplesetbytheirnorthernneighborandtodeclarewaronGermany。ThesewereCuba——inviewofits"dutytowardtheUnitedStates,"Panama,Guatemala,Brazil,Honduras,Nicaragua,andCostaRica。SincetheDominicanRepublicatthetimewasunderAmericanmilitarycontrol,itwasnotinapositiontochooseitscourse。FourcountriesEcuador,Peru,Bolivia,andUruguay——brokeoffdiplomaticrelationswithGermany。Theothersevenrepublics——Mexico,Salvador,Colombia,Venezuela,Chile,Argentina,andParaguay——continuedtheirformalneutrality。InspiteofadisclosuremadebytheUnitedStatesofinsultingandthreateningutterancesonthepartoftheGermancharged’affairesinArgentina,whichledtopopularoutbreaksatthecapitalandinducedthenationalCongresstodeclareinfavorofaseveranceofdiplomaticrelationswiththatfunctionary’sGovernment,thePresidentoftherepublicstoodfirminhisresolutiontomaintainneutrality。IfPan—AmericanismhadeverinvolvedtheideaofpoliticalcooperationamongthenationsoftheNewWorld,itbrokedownjustwhenitmighthaveservedthegreatestofpurposes。Eventhe"ABC"combinationitselfhadapparentlybeenshattered。

AcenturyandmorehadnowpassedsincetheSpanishandPortuguesepeoplesoftheNewWorldhadachievedtheirindependence。Eighteenpoliticalchildrenofvarioussizesandstagesofadvancement,orbackwardness,werebornofSpaininAmerica,andoneacknowledgedthematernityofPortugal。BigBrazilhasalwaysmaintainedthehappiestrelationswiththelittlemotherinEurope,whostillwatcheswithpridethegrowthofherstrappingyoungster。BetweenSpainandherdescendants,however,animosityenduredformanyyearsaftertheyhadthrownofftheparentalyoke。Yetoflate,muchhasbeendoneonbothsidestorendertherelationshipcordial。ThegracefulactofSpaininsendingthemuch—belovedInfantaIsabeltorepresentherinArgentinaandChileatthecelebrationofthecentennialanniversaryoftheircryforindependence,andtowishthemGodspeedontheironwardjourney,wastypicaloftheyearningofthemothercountryforherchildrenoverseas,despitethelapseofyearsandpoliticalties。So,too,herablestmenofintellecthavestrivennoblyandwithmarkedsuccesstoreviveamongthemasenseoffilialaffectionandgratitudeforallthatSpaincontributedtomoldthemindandheartofherkindredindistantlands。Ontheirpart,theHispanicAmericanshavecometoaclearerconsciousnessofthefactthatonthecontinentsoftheNewWorldtherearetwodistincttypesofcivilization,withallthateachconnotesofdifferencesinrace,psychology,tradition,language,andcustom——theirown,andthatrepresentedbytheUnitedStates。Appreciativethoughthesoutherncountriesareoftheirnorthernneighbor,theyclingneverthelesstotheirheritagefromSpainandPortugalinwhateverseemsconducivetothemaintenanceoftheirownidealsoflifeandthought。

BIBLIOGRAPHICALNOTE

ForanythinglikeadetailedstudyofthehistoryoftheHispanicnationsofAmerica,obviouslyonemustconsultworkswritteninSpanishandPortuguese。Therearemanyimportantbooks,also,inFrenchandGerman;but,withfewexceptions,therecommendationsforthegeneralreaderwillbelimitedtoaccountsinEnglish。

AveryusefuloutlineandguidetorecentliteratureonthesubjectisW。W。Pierson,Jr。,"ASyllabusofLatin—AmericanHistory"(ChapelHill,NorthCarolina,1917)。AbriefintroductiontothehistoryandpresentaspectsofHispanicAmericancivilizationisW。R。Shepherd,"LatinAmerica"(NewYork,1914)。ThebestgeneralaccountsoftheSpanishandPortuguesecolonialsystemswillbefoundinCharlesdeLannoyandHermanvanderLinden,"HistoiredeL’ExpansionColonialedesPeuplesEuropeens:PortugaletEspagne"(BrusselsandParis,1907),andKurtSimon,"SpanienandPortugalalsSeeandKolonialmdchte"(Hamburg,1913)。FortheSpanishcolonialregimealone,E。G。Bourne,"SpaininAmerica"(NewYork,1904)isexcellent。ThesituationinsouthernSouthAmericatowardthecloseofSpanishruleiswelldescribedinBernardMoses,"SouthAmericaontheEveofEmancipation"(NewYork,1908)。Amongcontemporaryaccountsofthatperiod,AlexandervonHumboldtandAimeBonpland,"PersonalNarrativeofTravelstotheEquinoctialRegionsofAmerica",3vols。(London,1881);AlexandervonHumboldt,"PoliticalEssayontheKingdomofNewSpain",4vols。

(London,1811—1822);andF。R。J。dePons,"TravelsinSouthAmerica",2vols。(London,1807),areauthoritative,evenifnotalwayseasytoread。

Onthewarsofindependence,seethescholarlytreatisebyW。S。

Robertson,"RiseoftheSpanish—AmericanRepublicsasToldintheLivesoftheirLiberators"(NewYork,1918);BartolomeMitre,"TheEmancipationofSouthAmerica"(London,1893)——acondensedtranslationoftheauthor’s"HistoriadeSanMartin",andwhollyfavorabletothatpatriot;andF。L。Petre,"SimonBolivar"

(London,1910)——impartialattheexpenseoftheimagination。

Amongthenumerouscontemporaryaccounts,thefollowingwillbefoundserviceable:W。D。Robinson,"MemoirsoftheMexicanRevolution"(Philadelphia,1890);J。R。Poinsett,"NotesonMexico"(London,1825);H。M。Brackenridge,"VoyagetoSouthAmerica,2vols。(London,1820);W。B。Stevenson,"HistoricalandDescriptiveNarrativeofTwentyYears’ResidenceinSouthAmerica",3vols。(London,1895);J。Miller,"MemoirsofGeneralMillerintheServiceoftheRepublicofPeru",2vols。(London,1828);H。L。V。DucoudrayHolstein,"MemoirsofSimonBolivar",2

vols。(London,1830),andJohnArmitage,"HistoryofBrazil",2

vols。(London,1836)。

Thebestbooksonthehistoryoftherepublicsasawholesincetheattainmentofindependence,andwrittenfromanHispanicAmericanviewpoint,areF。GarciaCalderon,"LatinAmerica,itsRiseandProgress"(NewYork,1913),andM。deOliveiraLima,"TheEvolutionofBrazilComparedwiththatofSpanishandAnglo—SaxonAmerica"(StanfordUniversity,California,1914)。ThecountriesofCentralAmericaaredealtwithbyW。H。Koebel,"CentralAmerica"(NewYork,1917),andofSouthAmericabyT。C。

Dawson,"TheSouthAmericanRepublics",2vols。(NewYork,1903—1904),andC。E。Akers,"HistoryofSouthAmerica"(London,1912),thoughinamannerthatoftenconfusesratherthanenlightens。

Amongthehistoriesanddescriptionsofindividualcountries,arrangedinalphabeticalorder,thefollowingareprobablythemostusefultothegeneralreader:W。A。Hirst,"Argentina"(NewYork,1910);PaulWalle,"Bolivia"(NewYork,1914);PierreDenis,"Brazil"(NewYork,1911);G。F。S。Elliot,"Chile"(NewYork,1907);P。J。Eder,"Colombia"(NewYork,1913);J。B。

Calvo,"TheRepublicofCostaRica"(Chicago,1890);A。G。

Robinson,"Cuba,OldandNew"(NewYork,1915);OttoSchoenrich,"SantoDomingo"(NewYork,1918);C。R。Enock,"Ecuador"(NewYork,1914);C。R。Enock,"Mexico"(NewYork,1909);W。H。

Koebel,"Paraguay"(NewYork,1917);C。R。Enock,"Peru"(NewYork,1910);W。H。Koebel,"Uruguay"(NewYork,1911),andL。V。

Dalton,"Venezuela"(NewYork,1912)。Ofthese,thebooksbyRobinsonandEder,onCubaandColombia,respectively,arethemostreadableandreliable。

Foradditionalbibliographicalreferencessee"SouthAmerica"andthearticlesonindividualcountriesin"TheEncyclopaediaBritannica",11thedition,andinMarrionWilcoxandG。E。Rines,"EncyclopediaofLatinAmerica"(NewYork,1917)。

OfcontemporaryorlaterworksdescriptiveofthelifeandtimesofeminentcharactersinthehistoryoftheHispanicAmericanrepublicssince1830,afewmaybetakenasrepresentative。

Rosas:J。A。King,"Twenty—fourYearsintheArgentineRepublic"

(London,1846),andWoodbineParish,"BuenosAyresandtheProvincesoftheRiodelaPlata"(London,1850)。Francia:J。R。

Rengger,"ReignofDr。JosephGaspardRoderick[!]deFranciainParaguay"(London,1827);J。P。andW。P。Robertson,"LettersonSouthAmerica",3vols。(London,1843),andE。L。White,"ElSupremo",anovel(NewYork,1916)。SantaAnna:WaddyThompson,"RecollectionsofMexico"(NewYork,1846),andF。E。Ingles,CalderondelaBarca,"LifeinMexico"(London,1859。)。Juarez:

U。R。Burke,"LifeofBenitoJuarez"(London,1894)。SolanoLopez:T。J。Hutchinson,"Parana;withIncidentsoftheParaguayanWarandSouthAmericanRecollections"(London,1868);

GeorgeThompson,"TheWarinParaguay"(London,1869);R。F。

Burton,"LettersfromtheBattle—fieldsofParaguay"(London,1870),andC。A。Washburn,"TheHistoryofParaguay",2vols。

(Boston,1871)。PedroII:J。C。FletcherandD。P。Kidder,"BrazilandtheBrazilians"(Boston,1879),andFrankBennett,"FortyYearsinBrazil"(London,1914)。GarciaMoreno:FrederickHassaurek,"FourYearsamongSpanishAmericans"(NewYork,1867)。

GuzmanBlanco:C。D。Dance,"RecollectionsofFourYearsinVenezuela"(London,1876)。Diaz:JamesCreelman,"Diaz,MasterofMexico"(NewYork,1911)。Balmaceda:M。H。Hervey,"DarkDaysinChile"(London,1891—1890。Carranza:L。GutierrezdeLaraandEdgcumbPinchon,"TheMexicanPeople:theirStruggleforFreedom"

(NewYork,1914)。

关闭