Evening star., 1895-04-27
HAS LOST PRESTIGE
Effect of This Governments Part in
the Nicaraguan Affair.
MEANING OF TEE MONROE DOCTRINE
Disappointment to Genital and
South American Republics.
VENTILATION NEXT WINTER

The feeling in both political and diplo-
matte circles is that this government has
lost prestige all over the world as the re-
suit of the part it has played in Mica
ragua's contention with England. 1t ap-
pears to have dallied and doubted, to have
held out hope here and withdrawn it there,
to have given the question now warm,
now passive interest, until those who are
not disgusted are Indifferent as to its fur
ther manifestations.
LOSS in Central and South America.
This loss, 80 far as England and Europe
are concerned, is considered Of small ac-
count The powers there have always al
fected to treat the diplomacy of the United
States and especially all reference in diplo-
matte correspondence to the Monroe doc
trine, with an amusement bordering at
times on contempt. What is this so-called
Monroe doctrine?" they have asked. with
eyes twinkling and smile gathering De
fine it for US, or else do something that Will
convey your meaning" This has never
been done and hence the Monroe doctrine
appears to mean nothing across the water
Statesmen over there have come to- regard
1t as one of those stirring distractions that
go to make up an open-air Fourth OF July
speech in the United States.
This government, therefore, had little to
lose in that regard, either in England or ON
the continent. But the loss in both Central
and South America will, it is predicted, be
heavy, and will be felt by this country. In
the whole territory south of Mexico, and
including Mexico, the Monroe doctrine has
meant something. To that extent the Uni
ted States has been accredited with Tor
eign policy, and ever since Louis Napoleon
was ordered out of Mexico, thirty years
ago, the small republics to the south have
aLs. fNy~ In, pcal
and assistance. For one thing, they have
regarded the Monroe doctrine as something
for their benefit well as for the benefit
of the United States. In their eyes IT was sas
no mere selfish expression of a policy by
which the United States alone was to
profit. 1t was the declaration of policy
designed to advance the general interests
of free government on the whole OF this
side. and. therefore. a broad and beneficial
doctrine conceived in the true spirit of
patriotism and catholicity.
Something Apparently Promised.
There are no means Of knowing precisely
what, at the outset, Nicaragua was led to
feel assured of from this government. Sec
retary Gresham is silent, and Minister
Guzman, In any expression he INDUCES in.
must be diplomatic. DR.. Guzman of course
makes no complaint. He could not anord
to charge. doreliction on the country at
whose capital he is residing in an official
capacity But certain things 1t is pointed
out, may safely be inferred. DR.. Guzman's
actions have shown that a great deal was
expected Of, IL not in a manner promised
by this government. He has been con-
stant visitor at the State Department, and,
as 1t would now appear, long after any
need existed for his presence there. If the
course this government has pursued was
the course agreed upon at the start and
tude is inexplicable. What has he been
hoping to accomplish? What new phase OF
the case has he had to present to the State
Department? The smart money was as
SesSed weeks ago. Nicaragua'S inability to
pay was lnounced weeks ago. This gov
ernment's good offices were desired by Mic
aragua primarily to save her from the
modification of open menace by England
in the form of English guns trained to
command Nicaraguan port. Has Nicara-
qua had the right at any time to expect
that these good offices would be eXerted?
She has never asked that her quarrel with
England be formally taken up by the Unit
ed States. That, she could see, would be
entirely out of the question. But several
things have occurred apparently warrant
ing the assumption that Nicaragua 8 un-
derstan ling of the Monroe doctrine gave
her strong hope in the friendship of the
United States, and that she could turn here
for some sort of succor in the extreme
hour. But she has been disappointed. An
English feet has appeared in one of her
harbors and the crisis is at hand. without
practically the laising of a finger by the
United States.
Eject OH the Canal Engineers.
The effect of this. it is feared, may be
zen when the American engineers charged
with the duty of inspecting the route for
the proposed canal reach Nicaragua. They
start early in May. The commission is one
of the highest Importance. botE to Mic
aragua and to the United States. 1t is not
difficult to imagine what the reception of
;aI. Ia
government in the matter with England
carried itself with a certain friendly
assertion in Nicaragua's behalf. They
would have been hailed brothers in
every way. They would have represented
in the eyes Of the Nicaraguans not only
the spirit of business enterprise in the
United States, but that of sentimental
neighborliness as well. Their stay in the
country would have been a prolonged ova-
ton. But 1t cannot partake of this cordial
ity in the circumstances. The visit will
carry only a commercial significance, and
even this will be chilled by the Indifference
shown by the United States in the Corinto
episode. The engineers WILL Of course, en-
Joy every facility for the execution of their
task but the full possibilities of their visit
cannot, 1t is thought, now be realized.
Hill Studying Foreign Policies.
There are signs that Senator Hill is max
ing a close study Of foreign policies, and
that this question Of the Monroe doctrine
Is especially engaging him. He may even
branch out upon that line next winter.
The report in this matter of the Nicaragua
canal will afford him an admirable oppor-
tunity. 1t is to be presented to Congress,
and will be quoted in the debate on the
hill for the construction of the canal The
Monroe doctrine, 1t is suggested will have
then to be explained. If it has no practi-
cal meaning In its present shape there will
be a demand that one be given 1t. If 1t
has such meaning, the demand will be
not only that 1t be formally proclaimed, but
enforced. The topic will be tempting one,
ard especially for presidential asp:rants
The domestic topics will all be complicat-
ed and embarrassing. The tariff will have
to be considered somewhat, and silver will
be a sort of buzz-saw in full motion. Lead
ers on Soth sides will handle that with
extreme caution. But a foreign policy of
definite meaning and with something to
1t will appeal not only to the leaders, but
to the people. and coupled as the Monroe
doctrine at that time will be with a great
practical project like the Nicaragua canal,
ought to make deliverances on that SUBJ
ject of very considerable moment. The
best opinion is that the days of obscure
meaning and of no meaning at all for the
Monroe doctrine are, IN hymnal language,
gliding swiftly by" Mr.. Hill, or some
-. L.,