Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
Its Practical Assertion to Be Made
by This Government.
HESURVEY OF TIE NICARAGUA CANAL
Good Results Expected From This
Official Act.
A PLOMAT'S VIEW s

assertion of the Monroe doctrine" said a
gentleman of diplomatic and political ex-
perience to a representative of The Star
today. "The appearance in Nicaragua of
official engineers from this country in
specting the route CT the proposed canal
will convey q certain definite Intelligence
TO the whole world, not only as to what
our importance is on this side the Atlantic,
but to a distinct and praiseworthy plan
for it's manifestation. do not refer to any
details relating to the canal scheme. This
government may put up the money out
right, or simply guarantee under condi
uons the bonds Of private enterprise; but
the fact that the scheme itself is now,
even to the limited extent Of official expert
Investigation, under the eye of the govern
ment, will prove q long and important step
in defining what is really meant by the
supremacy of this country in the affairs of
America, North, South and Central. Great
Britain and Europe will UNDERSTAND it, and
Our own American neighbors, both to the
north and to the south of us, will, for the
first time. probably, realize that our in
terest in them Is more than mere declara-
tion.
The Monroe Doctrine.
I'VE had Us well be frank about this
matter. The mere assertion in words of
tie Monroe doctrine has conveyed moth
ing definite to anybody. 1t has never
has failed to impress our own people, It
has not even been accepted at the same
value and meaning by our public men.
Some have put one Interpretation upon
the doctrine and some another. Some have
declared it to be bullying doctrine. This.
OF course, was eagerly snapped up by for
eign powers. and the foreign press has
repeatedly rung the changes on 1t. 1t Is
still ringing changes on 1t. We are repre-
sented as playing the part Of the dog in
the manger We are warning of all peo-
pie alike This thing must not be done,
and that thing must not be done. by any
transatlantic power affecting matters of
governmental concern this side the
water. because the United States will not
whatever by such power. And then the
question is asked, what are we doing for
the benefit Of our neighbors? Are we help
ing them to build up their material affairs?
Are they the better of because of this big
brother attitude of ours toward them?
Are we emitting ourselves to that atti-
tude by putting ourselves into closer COM
munion with them. commercially and
otherwise. than transatlantic powers have
been trying to do? ..-. .la
The sticking Point.
'Thfs has been the sticking point; for up
to this time we have actually done but lit
tie toward drawing our American neigh
bors to US. They have enjoyed no advan-
tages at our hands. Our efforts to secure
their trade have been spasmodic and there
England. Germany and France to outstrip
us in the commercial race. from the mar
kets of Mexico down. Our language has
not been spreading In that quarter A
young man going either to Central or to
South America to establish himself in bus
mess Is told that he will need either Ger
man or French twenty times where he will
need English once. This sort Of thing
needs no explanation. 1t is plain enough
why, despite our talk about the Monroe
doctrine. we have SO far made no very Sc
or on transatlantic powers in our as
sumption of arbitrator of the affairs of
this hemisphere. Europe has as much as
pointed out to us that II we would control
those affairs we must take a greater inter-
est in them-we must dominate them by
actions and real interests. and not by proc
lamations. .-f-..
Alive to Responsibilities.
"And will this inspection Of the canal
scheme answer that objection?'' was asked.
II think so-that. and what 1t implies.
That Is business. That shows that we are
to the responsibilities that go with 1t. That
IL notice that we are justifying our claim to
arbitrate occidental affairs. Nobody under
takes to say that this government ought
not to control any canal connecting the two
great oceans, and everybody comedies that
the day for the digging of such a canal is
at hand. This gives US our opportunity.
therefore. And in improving 1t we shall
make double play. We shall not only
answer Great Britain and Europe on the
point Of the potentiality Of our voice In af-
fairs over on this side, but we shall recon-
mend ourselves to our neighbors They will
be able to see now that our Monroe doctrine
means something more than protection to
means something to their interests besides.
The canal will be big thing. 1t will give
great impetus to growth in those countries
tai will be attracted there. cities will spring
up, and new and improved conditions every
where obtain. And all of this. in a meas
ure, will be the fruits Of our activity in
forwarding the construction and assuming
the control of the great canal"
Effect ON Local Government.
what ought the effect to be on local
government in those countries?
'Very pronounced and very beneficial
And that is a very important point The
croakers have always been asking: why
undertake to cultivate the trade with coun-
tries where not only commercial but politi-
cal conditions are so uncertain, and there
fore SO dangerous? How shall q merchant
know when his shipments may be safe?
He might start his goods at a time when
and yet before they reached their destina-
tion riots and revolution might set up and
the consignment be lost There has been
ample grounds for the complaint. Revolu-
other with bewildering rapidity. We rarely
ever understand the quarrel. Some fellow
charges disloyalty upon the fellow in
office, and raises his standard and takes
the field. A hubbub follows. A government
Is overthrown, or a rebel chief Is defeated,
and then there Is a period Of uncertainty
and disquiet lasting for months. But, t,neces-
sarily, with the country growing. the peo-
pie getting more prosperous, as the result
of being brought more and more into con-
nection with the world at large, local gov
ernment will become more stable and more
deserving Of support. Business conditions
will improve. and everything will go en-
smoothly. Our 4nduence will be felt We
will then be bettan entitled to assume the
attitude of a big brother and like a big
brother command the peace at times of
disagreement. Its "a good opportunity,
which. trust, We nay improve to the
utmost. The effect, I am confident, will
be felt all over the world
Evangelist Earle Dead.
NEWTON Mass March 3O-Rev r