New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-07
TILE NONROE DOCTRINE.

CONTROL. HOSTILE TO AMERICAN INTERESTS.
ANY talk with senator Burnside public affairs
at this time naturally comes very soon to the sub
jcct of the resolution which he introduced IN the
Senate just before the adjournment, rcafirmlng the
Monroe Doctrine and applying it 10 the ls' hmu5
Canal project. Such was the with cOnyersa-
ton between the Rhode Island Senator and
TRIBUNE representative which took place at
the Fifth Avenue Hotel General burnside said III
reply to question to his purpose IN Offering the
resolution:
"When I presented it to the Senate there was
possibility of a further prolongatiOn Of the session.
and thought there would be an opportunity 70 de-
bate the question. Ny idea was to give early
notice TO the European projectors Of canal across
the Isthmus that the American people regard their
movement az an intrusion upon territory which
should properly be under American influence. ana
will inevitably come under American control at
some time in the future. Whether the canal be
built by a foreign Government or by the individual
subscriptions of foreigners. it would be antagonistIc
to the interests Of the United States. Before any
money is spent in the organization Of French
company, the employment of engineers and so
forth il is but fair that we should give notice OF
the views we entertain upon the subject. pas
sage between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans,
across territory which must of necessity look to Us
for its future good order and industrial progress,
must not be in the hands of Europeans"
do you think the money could be raised in this
country to construct the caualr -" When there is
need of the canal to advance American interests
the Government can loan its credit for its construc
tion just as it has IN the past TO facilitate other
important National enterprises. just now there Is
a strong prejudice against Government subsidies,
but 1t will not last always When important COM
mercial and political interests of strictly National
character are at stake, this feeling will disappear.
am by no means certain however, that canal
need be opened. Assuredly there Is no imperative
necessity for one at this time. We shall soon have
two additional lines OF railroad across the CONT
matchmaking three in all-and the facilities for
TRANSPORTATION between the Atlantic and Pacific
will be ample. Why should we allow large share
of this transportation to be taken away from Amer
lean railroads and given to English. French and
German vessels-ownersP
what do you think Of Captain Eads's plan for
marine railway across the Istnmus W-" read his
letter in TnE TRIBUNE with great interest. | am
not an admiror of Captain Eadss course IN connec-
Son with legislation at Washington, but | believe
he IS a great engineer His project for a railway
which could be built with American capital as
commercial enterprise should BE- carefully con
sidered The possibility of such plans succeeding
is an additional reason why should discourage
the French canal scheme in its inCipiency"
You evidently think il the manifest destiny OF
this Republic TO acquire all the territory down to
the Isthmus."-" certainly do. Nothing is palmer
than that the natural course of events will lead to
the absorption of Mexico and the Central American
States. American energy will seek an outlet In
that and the native populations, which can
not sustain orderly government themselves. Will
come under the control of the superior race. Moth
ing our Government can do on the border will Sc
cure peace and order ia Mexico. You might as well
Try to manage a mule by taking hold Of his hind
leg Mexico is an urTuly animal, and we must take
her by the head"
How could we assmilate such mass Of turbu-
lent alien people with our system Of government
-" That brings up the common objection to terrific
nal expansion. reply that l see nothing In our
Constitution which makes it essential that We
should create new states Immediately out OF ali tho
| territory may acquire. There IS no reason why
we should not control by prOtectorate large terri
tories outside OF the States. There Is nothing III
our system of government anfagonist!c to such an
! Arrangement .
populltIOns If should take them under our pro-
tecrug care ~" Not at all. The superior race
would soon introduce its laws and institutions
| Look at the case Of New-heXcO. IL had as bad
| population when we annexed 10 as any part Of oid
! Mexico. DO We hear OF any revolutions there now
| The people are orderly and laW-abldIng l know
something personally OF their former character ana
their present condition. | accompanied, quarter
| master, the expedition winch surveyed the OOuh,
Diary line under the Guadalupe Ilidalgo treaty ana
| alter the war | commanded the military depart
| mrnt including NeW-Mexic0.'
| TO come back 10 the immediate topic OF the
| canal. You have spoken Of detrment 20 our com
merciaI interests. What of the military and naval
side of the question: In the canal were opened
| could not any strong naval power with when We
| might be at send It's ships from siallohh
| IN the West Indies to selze the work and theh
dispatch expedition 10 rayage our PacIhc coasi
| which We could only defend by sending vessels
| around Cape Horn ~" hat Is plain. But there
| are so many reasons why should not allow
foreigners construct the canal that 10 Is haIdIJ
necessary specify them. Ii Is enough 10 say 'hAt
| AZ would be mghy detrimental 20 our interests as
| "a Nation for a canal under foreign control 10 DC
| opened across the l-thmus, aud mat we VIII hot
! hermit such undertaking to be carried OUT. Oui
| Government should give formal notice 10 TINS
| enect before She business goes any further"