Public opinion toward intervention in Latin America shifted
dramatically enough that even Wilson hinted at change. Secretary of
State Bainbridge Colby attempted to defuse campaign criticism by
issuing several statements indicating a willingness to withdraw from
the Dominican Republic, but there were still no efforts to organize the
administration of the intervention regimes. Colby contented himself
with public statements and a goodwill trip to Brazil, Uruguay, and
Argentina, which could have little impact when not accompanied by a
policy change, and which appeared to Latin Americans like a reward
for services to Wilson. ² The Latins had heard glib phrases
before -- they wanted concrete actions. Colby's efforts, nevertheless,
pointed to the shift in American opinion and the necessity of a change
in Latin American policy.

Despite his limited interest in foreign affairs during his early
career, Harding had devoted some attention to Latin America while
serving in the Senate. Although his senatorial efforts were extremely
limited, they reflected the attitudes which formed the basis of his
Latin American policy as President. As a freshman Senator, he had
introduced a joint resolution "to encourage the teaching of the
Spanish language in the United States." He subsequently explained
during the 1920 campaign that he had "learned from many sources
that one of the reasons for the backwardness in American trade in
South America was the inability of American commercial agents to
speak the Spanish language" and that he viewed the proposal as a
means of promoting American business expansion in Latin
America. ³ This bill -- one of only twelve he introduced during six
years in the Senate which did not concern local Ohio affairs -- died in
committee, but his sponsorship of this proposal indicated a surprising
interest in Latin America and a perception of the impact of language
that had eluded many contemporaries who were far stronger ad-
vocates of international intercourse than Harding. ⁴ The bill also
revealed an early interest in trade with Latin America, a factor which
was to constitute one of the primary motivations of his Latin
American policy as President.

Harding was a staunch advocate of promoting the expansion of

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