The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-11-03
The Monroe Doctrine

| have taken to protect the rights of the Unitep
States in the Panama Canal, appears letter ad-
dressed by Secretary Blaine on June Oath to Min
lister Lowell in London and all the other Ameri-
can Ministers in Europe The occasion for this
letter IS the refusal Of the government of Columbia
to renew the protocol of 1916, whereby the neu-
trality of the isthmus guaranteed by the Unit
ed States. The Colombian government desires to
substitute treaty to which all the great powers
shall assent; while the United States prefers to
| MAINTAIN what amounts to protectorate there
Secretary Blaine accordingly all European
nations that any interference in this matter will
be regarded as unfriendly. The most striking
| passages of the letter are as follows
| In the judgment of the President this guarantee
| 1.-THE Treaty of 1916 with the United States of
Coombia) given by the United States of America
| does not require reinforcement or assent from any
4 other Power. In more than one instance this
/ government has been called upon to undertake
I the neutrality thus guaranteed; and there is no
| contingency now toreseen or apprehended in which
such indications would not be IN the power OF this
nation If the foreshadowed action of the
European Powers should assume tangible shape,
it would be well for you to bring to the notice of
Lord Granville the provisions of the treaty of 1916
and especially its thirty fifth article and to init
mate to him that any movement in the sense of
| SuppltlcullDS tHc guarantee contained therein
would necessarily be regarded by this government
as an uncalled for intrusion into field where the
local and general interests of the United States of
| America must be considered before those of any
other power save those of the United States of
| Colombia alone. which has already derived and
will continue to derive such eminent advantages
| from the guarantee of this Government
1t is regards the political control OF such canal
distinguished for its merely administrative
| commercial regulation that the President feels
called upon to speak with directness and with EN-
! phasls During any war to which the United
States of America or the United States of Colum-
bia might be party the passage of armed vessels
of hostile nation through the canal al Panama
would not be more admissible than would the
passage Of the armed forces of hostile uation
the railway lines joining the Atlantic and Pacific
| shores OF the United States or of Columbia And
the United States OF America will insist upon her
rights TO take all needtul precautions against the
| biity OF the lsthmus transit being in any
event used Extensively against her interests upon
| the land or upon the Any attempt
| TO supeTsede that guarantee by agreement be-
tween European Powers that maintain vast armies,
and patrolthe sea with numerous fleets and whose
interest in the canal and its operations never
! be SO vital and supreme as ours, would partake Of
the nature Of an alliance against the United States,
and would be regarded by this government
! indication of nntriendly feeling You will be
car, tul in any conversation YOU may have not to
represent The position of the United States the
/ development OF a new policy or the inauguration
OF any advanced, aLgleSslNe steps 10 Ge taken by
\ this government It is nothing more than the pro
nounced adherence of the United States to princl-
| pies long since ennnc.ated By the highest author
| lty Of the Governments and now, in the judgment
| OF the President, hrnIy lnwoven as integral
and important part OF our national policy. In his
address upon taking the oath of office the Presi-
| dent distinctly proclaimed the position which the
/ government OF the United States would hold upon
! this question: and if the European Cabinets have
\ failed to observe give due heed to the declara-
iIilI1 th,1lIrl mazda / bn for soma
proper occasion call the attention of the Minis
ter Of Foreign Affairs TO the language used by the
President
1t Will be seen that, i'll effect, Secretary Blaine
rcassers what Is known as the Monroe doctrine
In unnistakabe language he gives foreign nations
to understand that our government will never con
sent for them to control the projected canal
through the isthmus, and will take care that all
or interests in it carefully and jealousy pro
tectcd The people OF this country will endorse
every sentiment of this bold and statesmanlike
letter, which has already received the almost un-
anlmous endorsement of the press. The Boston
I Post has never been friendly to Mr.. Blaine, but
| that organ of the Massachusetts Democrats says
\ We trust that shall never be backward in
| recognizing the services of Mr.. Blaine when they
seem to us to have value for much as this is in
JuSlltc Nlt uldl lIDul WHOSE dCtS anu uOClTlueS
| in the great majority of cases, feel compelled
to dissent The reply that he made to the bogus
| Hartinanns counsel was capital, and could hardly
have been better as we stated at the time 1t was
made and now, with respect to a broader issue
| the guarantee OF the neutrality Of the Panama
! canal by foreign powers, he has planted the Gov
erlnent on lmprcgnable moral ground without
straining any principle or compromising i'll the
slightest the dignity and honor of the republic
There is quiet assertion of the reserve power Of
the that heartily : a
iSterlal uttcrauce, and il puts the United States
right again in the face Of the world. Whether
this is the position Of the President or OF Mr.
Blaine do not care, SO long it is made the po-
stior of the Government
The independent, Boston Herald is equally com
plimentary-
The position taken by our government on the
question OF the neutrality of the Panama Canal as
indicated in Secretary Blaines letter to Minister
| Lowell. Is III close accord with the highest and
most udlclous Interpretation of the Monroe doe
! trine With us, the Panama canal would be
| the waterway to our Pacific States which. as Mr.
Blaine has rightly said form an imperial domain
! The claim winch We put forth of primacy this
! continent IS not as he well observes, new one.
| " hen first made the Nation had not a half of its
| present numerical strength quarter of the
material resources it now has. What was then an
act Of boldnesS has now become prudential con
sidernton. We do not need to threaten, and the
ausion that is made to our little and unprepared
tion ma sober nnnnsnls If What il fast hnnon1;ng
The most nowerfI nation on the earth will recaiy We
| tbe resn4rt NAV merit in The cabnets Of tha H.
ropean mowers
! ~ =
IT'S noSlon 9ouiHai cnarac'efNes ne letter as
sound and sensible and says that "Mr. Blaine has
| stated the strong points in the Monroe doctrina
,i,hort b,rs+,.r or3 ~ manner ,,,,,;oh r,.t
"''''"' 'i"''e' anu Ia " n""Nne' "iii'N III us' COR
vince other nations Of the position of our Govern
| meut
rY >- >-, , H., -
~ r"fo4' soNe'"i'' ".P'oNo u 'he
Ietttr. The Tribune says
Mr. Blane's letter to Mr. Lowell sets AT rest all
! questions concerning the attitude of tho United
States toward the Panama Canal II is not mara
reassertiop of the Monroe Doctrinc and its ,nnIi
cation TO the project for inter oceanic transit +
IN ctfert an rIprlt dpcIarat,on If the 1ntonton ~
the American Re- rblic to ,,rotert all ts ;ntorast
which The canal nav affect, and conrteons noti