New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-10
THE NEWS AT THE CAPITAL.

GAIIoN-A TIMID DEMOCRATIC MAJoiulh-fEiL
AT The MEXICAN MINISTER'S HOUSE.
There is an effort being made in Washing
ton to work up an excitement among Demo
Gratis over the Monroe doctrine and the Inter
oceanic Canal. President Hayes is in favor of
enforcing the Monroe doctrine. The Demo-
cratic majority in the House IS resorting to
various tactics TO prevent record on the
creenback question. A brilliant fete took
place at the Mexican Ministers last night
CANAL AND MONROE DOCTRINE.
DEMOCRATS FRIGHTENED AT A sHADoW-FRANcE
NOT RESPONSIBLE For DE LEssEPs-AN ALARM
Isr AT THE CAPITAL.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDUNEl
WAsuNGToN, Feb. 9.-Two Democratic members
of the House Interocesnic Canal Committee are
said to have visited the State Department IN con-
dltion of considerable excitement few days ago to
ascertain why the Administration allowing the
Monroe doctrine TO be torn to pieces without max
ing some protest. How Secretary Evarts defended
himself is not publicly known, but it is presumed
that he was not by any means panc-stricken, and
he may possibly have told his visitors that When
ever any definite act, which is in contravention OF
the Monroe doctrine, is performed by any European
Nation the Administration will then consider what
its duty in the premises is if Congress has not itself
already taken the responsibility of dealing with the
question.
In the meantime the Democrats might as well
abandon the idea if they entertain it, that the
President is indifferent to the Importance OF the
Monroe Doctrine. He is firm believer in it, and
makes no effort to conceal his opinion. He thinks
that the announcement and application OF the Doc
trIne in 1923 wise and holds that IL tho
application of it then made was not broad enough
to cover every possible case that may arise III con-
nectIon with the construction of trans-isthman ca
pals then new edition of it, so to speak, should be
issued that shall be so plain that no msunderotand-
ing of our position will be possible.
President HAYES believes that neither the people
nor the Government of this country will ever con-
sent to the existence of any interOceanlc
canal. either across Panama or any other
part of Central America which is not con-
troled by the Government of the United States
or its citizens and that position in tins matter
ought to be announced III unequivOcal terms before
apy scheme of that kind has been set on
foot. Does the President hold that the
Monroe Doctrine would prevent the control
of such a canal by private company if
that company European one, may be asked
certainly. Take NJ. de Lessepss company. for in
stance. 1t is chartered by the French Government
and while that Government disclarms all RESPONSE
bility for IT. the fact remains that the company
would look to the French Government for
protection in case ii got iatO
trouble and it would get that protection, too The
President believes therefore, that NJ de Lesseps
and all others interested in nterOceanic canal
schemes ought to be made to understand at the
earliest possible moment that they cannot 90 on
with any of their schemes without the most Wig
orous protest on the part of the United States.
Secretary Evarts the other hand,
sees no occasion to take any definite
action on this subject. He says that up to
this time, as far the public knows, moth
ing has happened but the beginning of some surveys
on the Isthmus of Panama. under direction of NJ.
de Lesseps. The canal itself has not been dug, OF
even begun There is nOevGence that 1t has any
financial backing Meanwhile he adds, France assured
our Government, in language that cannot be ms
understood, that she has nothing whatever te do
with NJ de IsessepSs scheme. and that her Govern
menl is no more responsible for anything he may do
than if he lived in New York and it has nor b. en-
hnted that any other country Is backing inc enter
General Grant, during his Administrations practi
cay committed the United States to the Nicaragua
route and popular opinion i'll this country, as lar
as II has found expression, has approved OF that
policy The present Administration has done
nothing whatever TO change that policy, ana
Is not deserving of criticism. IT has not looked
on with indifference while any other Nation gained
afoothold in Central America by backlng canal
scheme For no other Nation has yet tHAeh such
ii there should arise any cause for war, upon the
Democratic Congress will devolve the responsl-
tiity and not upon the President, nor Is II fair Tor
the Democrats to assert that the ADMINISTRATION
has remained passive thus far. No resolution call
ing on tlfe President for information on the subject
has been passed by either House OF Congress. When
such a resolution is adopted the Secretary Will
pobably report fully what correspondence he has
lad and then id will be time enough 10 decide that
he has been remiss in his duty.
The President will then also set forth his views
on the subject, and 1t will probably be seen that be
is as radical as one -
The latest event which has any bearing on this
question is the arrival in Washington of the man
who Of all others has given most evidence OF alarm
in regard to the situation for the apparent purpose
of working the Democratic members Of the Senate
and the House committees up TO an equal degree 0f
fright with himself, the next thing that VIII
happen will be the arrival OF VI. de Lesseps III New
York in about week. lie will not probably be al
lowed to leave this country without understanding
what obstacles he will have to encounter from the
applications of the Monroe Doctrine