in office more than the constitutional period, as in the case of Gomez in Venezuela and as Leguia is now doing in Peru. although he did amend the constitution to give it some semblance of legality. feel that we should by all means be on friendly terms with him so long as he protects our interests but this applies to larger countries such as Mexico and South America where we have not the moral obligations that we have in Central America.
In South America men like Gomez and Leguia like to have our friendship but it is not so absolutely essential as it is for Central American Governments. We cannot keep aloof in Central America, there are too many forces continually at work to draw us in and we have to play a considerable role whether we want to OF THE ARCHIVES or not. middle course of making mild threats which are not SALS backed up, except perhaps in the case of non recognition when such a course if continued for a long time inevitably is most harmful, as was shown in the case of Costa Rica under the Tinoco régime, is perhaps the worst course of all.
It does not solve the situation and certainly ruins our prestige.
Patriotism in Central America is nil.
This fact alone makes any attempt to deal with the situation on a high moral and constitutional basis an inevitable failure. am therefore