The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-24
Worth More Than Money.

Squire Smalley, who, as American cor
Englishmen that the people of this
country do not support the president in
his stand on the Monroe doctrine. now
declares that we are 81 900, 100000 poorer
than we We're before the president
launched his message concerning Nene-
zuela, and wants to know what equiv
alent we have gained for this eXpendi-
ture. Then he adds this interesting
bit of special British pleading:
In trying to make out what we have
got or are likely to get in return for
all these losses and the greater loss TO
come, let us accept for the moment the
presidents view-admit that the Mon
roe doctrine applies to the present bound
airy dispute between British Guiana and
Venezuela. The highest authorities In the
country on International and constitution
al laws, with Mr.. James &. Carter, of New
York, at their head. say it does not. But
let US admit that they are all wrong and
that the president and Mr.. Olney are bet
ter lawyers than they, and that the presi-
dent is right and all the great lawyers
wrong on this great question of law: ad-
init that we have a right to interfere be-
tween England and Venezuela; admit that
we are entitled to address to Great Britain
peTelnplOTy ueIndnu tldl Sne SnoIll
agree to arbtrate on all the territory
claimed by Venezuela. including that
which she has in possession and to which
she had acquired a prescriptive title by
occupation during period more than
twice as long as that which the courts
hold good as between private individuals: {:
admit that England ought to have agreed
to accept both arbitration and Mr.. Olney's
Monroe doctrine; admit that she need not
resent either the tone of Mr.. Olney's note
or of the presidents message. though both
are unusual, nor even the proposal for
a commission to determine British
boundary, without precedence though 1t
be, and without warrant in International
law or comfy. Do any or all of
these, admissions help us answer the
question. what have we gained in
return for our enormous losses and
far more enormous losses in the
uncertain future? Do we really think.
after due reflection. that our safety and
welfare and the maintenance of our form
of government are, as the president says,
dependent on orr successful interference
in a boundary dispute in South America
A proper reply to the last question is
that we most assuredly do. If an lEu-
ropean power last of all England may
seize South American territory regard
less of our protest, there is nothing in
logic to prevent such a power. or a
ing territory in Central America-say
Nicaragua. for instance, and the path
way of the Nicaragua canal-or even in
Mexico; and land thus seized could in
time of trouble easily be fortified and
used as the base of military operations
consequences as these that first called
forth the utterance by President Mon
roe which Is the foundation of the pres
ent contention with Lord Salisbury.
Again, In 1864, the occupation of Mexico
by Louis Napoleon caused Secretary
Seward to make n vigorous reaffirma-
tion of this principle, with the result
that the nephew of the great Napoleon
rather precipitately drew back and left
his dupe. the unfortunate Emperor
Maximilian. to be captured by his ene-
mics and shot. The present threatened
forcible occupation by England of land
on this hemisphere not as yet recog-
nized as rightfully belonging to her
does not, indeed. Immediately leopard
the integrity Of the American republic;
but it would. If permitted. violate a
principle which is precious safeguard
of that integrity; and establish pre-
cedent fatal to the Monroe doctrines
| future maintenance. Ground thus lost
could never be regained. COncede one
, infringement of vital principle and
| you make possible any number of sub
sequent violations.
1t may be true, as Mr.. Smalley has
stated. that the presidents firm asser-
tion of an invaluable American tradi.
| tion has involved the speculative inter-
ests of the country in temporary
period of excitement. the damage OF
which is roughly estimated at $1,000
100000 We do not believe that these
| figures are accurate. or that the present
loss Is real and lasting; but even IL the
facts were as represented, are we tc
weigh national self respect in the scales
against 81, 900. 900? Would Mr.. Small.
ley, as England's hired champion. ad-
wise England to do that?
There are some considerations worth
more than money. National pride and
| honor are of that class.
The Philadelphia Inquirer intimates
| TINT fi1e reason why Congressmenr Dal.