Rest, rosy limbs, and blue eyes and gold lashes—­
      Made in the mold of the Saviour, they say! 
    Drink deep of my bosom, my starved, meagre bosom,
      That—­keeps you alive for the fray.

    Sleep, oh, my man child, and smile in your sleeping,
      But the gun has been fashioned to lay in your hand,
    And your life blood flows smooth in your fair little body
      The better to water and plenish the land!

Pan-American Relations As Affected by the War

Consequences of the European Conflict on Future Commerce Between the United States and Latin America

By Huntington Wilson,

Formerly Assistant Secretary of State.

I.

A study of the effects of the war upon our relations with the other republics of this hemisphere involves political, commercial, financial and strategic elements of far-reaching scope and much complexity.  The situation presents an opportunity.  It offers a lesson even more vital than the opportunity.  The political considerations are most relevant to the lesson; and the final text of the lesson will be the result of the war.  The economic opportunity is already upon us, definite and clear.  It will not wait.  It must be grasped without delay and may therefore be first discussed.

There is something repellent in counting our advantages under the shadow of so great a tragedy but we must try to be as practical as those who are fond of accusing us of materialism.  Does any one think that the steam-roller of admirably organized and Government-fostered German competition would pause if we lay in the road; that if we received a check, Anglo-Saxon cousinship and fair play would always mitigate British competition; or that then not a single European merchant in South America would ever again use scorn and detraction against our goods, or encourage, through influence with the press, prejudice due to “Yankee peril” nonsense?  In short, is it likely that all our competitors would suddenly love us just because we were in trouble?  No, things are not as they should be and meanwhile must be dealt with as they are.

There used to be apparently very little hope of our shaking the tree and gathering the golden fruit of foreign enterprise unless forced to it by the collapse, through dire hard times, of the wonderful home market which has made spoiled children of our manufacturers.  Now comes this war.  It forces upon us a wonderful, a unique opportunity to gain and hold our proper place in the finance, trade, and enterprise of Latin America.  The richness of the field is often exaggerated, but its cultivation is certainly worth the effort of men of foresight.

What are we going to do about it?  This is the question; for if American business men do not do their part the ultimate effect of the war upon our economic interests in this part of the world will be unimportant.  We must not be like the young gold miners who were looking exclusively for large nuggets with handles.  We must go at it seriously and scientifically and solidly, not superficially, casually, and opportunistically.  We must begin with the earnest intention of continuing our efforts for all time.