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But those were relatively innocent days, especially in so far as recognition of the hemispheric aims of international Communism was concerned. In the early 1950s, when a Red regime took over Guatemala, the OAS contented itself with only, a tentative step toward meeting the Communist threat. Adopted at the OAS's 1954 conference in Caracas, at John Foster Dulles' urging, was this resolution: "The domination or control of the political institutions of any American State by the international Communist movement, extending to this Hemisphere the political system of an extracontinental power, would constitute a threat to the sovereignty and political independence of the American States, endangering the peace of America, and would call for a Meeting of Consultation to consider the adoption of appropriate action in accordance with existing treaties." But no positive OAS action followed in Guatemala, and only a U.S.-supported invasion by Guatemalan exiles toppled the Communists from power.
Thus, the danger was cited—but the remedy remained a "Meeting of Consultation." OAS meetings have never in the past been known for swift or decisive action. In more than six years of blatant Castro subversion-by-export, the OAS has had scores of meetings' managed at most to suspend trade with Cuba except for food and medicine, and bar diplomatic relations with Havana (Mexico has ignored the latter).
Made painfully aware of OAS shortcomings, President John Kennedy said shortly after the abortive 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion: "Let the record show that our restraint is not inexhaustible. Should it ever appear that the inter-American doctrine of noninterference merely conceals or excuses a policy of nonaction—if the nations of this hemisphere should fail to meet their commitments against outside Communist penetration—then I want it clearly understood that this Government will not hesitate in meeting its primary obligations, which are to the security of our nation. Should that time ever come, we do not intend to be lectured on 'intervention' by those whose character was stamped for all time on the bloody streets of Budapest."
"We Will Defend . . ." When confronted last fortnight by mounting evidence that Castro Communists had taken control of the revolt in the Dominican Republic, President Johnson had to act fast: if he had waited for the OAS to debate the whole thing, the Dominican Republic today would almost certainly be a Red-ruled island. Later, in explaining his actions, he enunciated what some have since called "the Johnson Doctrine." It is hardly that, being at most a corollary to the tried and true Monroe Doctrine. Johnson's policy is aimed, with stark simplicity, at barring "the establishment of another Communist government in the Western Hemisphere." Said Johnson: "I want you to know, and I want the world to know that as long as I am President of this country, we are going to defend ourselves. We will defend our soldiers against attackers. We will honor our treaties. We will keep our commitments. We will defend our nation against all those who seek to destroy not only the United States but every free country of this hemisphere."