436 FAMOUS LIVING AMERICANS most important of these were the twenty-four arbitration treaties, with as many foreign governments^ which {Hrovide that when differences arise between any two of the contracting states, they shall be referred to the Hague Tribunal for arbi- tration. Very memorable in the annals of the State Department was a visit made by Secretary Boot to Central and South Ameri- can countries in the summer of 1906. There was a definite and very important object in this trip, and he went as the per- sonal representative of President Roosevelt. For many years there had been a growing apprehension among the Pan-Ameri- can countries that some day the United States would enter upon an era of expansion, and that when this day came it would be an evil one for them. The recent occurrences in Cuba and in the Philippines had greatly increased this appre- hension, and there was a growing danger of serious inter- ference with our political and conmiercial relations with those countries. It was to correct this misapprehension, and to set the Pan-American Republics right in their attitude toward the United States, that Mr. Root made the journey. It was un- like any other mission that had ever been undertaken. Id many ways it was a more important mission than has been undertaken by any American citizen, before or since. As may readily be imagined, it would be no easy matter to eradicate the deep-rooted prejudices of half a century. Mr. Root adopted a policy that was in perfect accord with his nature and with his past life: that of telling the South American people the exact truth in plain words. He did tiiis in his first speech, before the Third Conference of South Amer- ican Republics, at Rio Janeiro, July 31, 1906. The clearness of his statements, and the earnestness with which he made them, convinced his auditors of his sincerity and won their hearts. After that it was a sort of triumphal progress. He met the rulers of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru in their own capitals. Everywhere he disclaimed any purpose on the part of the United States to encroach on their domains. Our desire, he told them, is to extend and cultivate amicable polit- ical and trade relations with all Pan-American countries. EKs n
