New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-20
NO CiTrSE FOR VAR.

The KEYNOTE of the famous song from which
"Jngoism' got It's name was, I'VE don't want
10 fight" In the present case there Is no reason
70 believe that Great Britain wants war. III Is
certain that Americans do not. They regard IL
with the utmost horror and aversion as some
thing 70 be resortcd to only in the last extremity.
Whit they do want Is an equitable and honor
oh,o settlement Of n controversy in which this
country Is deeply II not vitality. interested. 1t
would not endanger our National exist
oroo for Creat Britain TO take all she claims.
;ustlv or uniusty, in Venezuela. If European
Powers should seize the whole South American
continent. and establish Prncipalitles and King
doms there. this country could hoid us OWN
ooolrst them. Nevertheless. such procedure,
even TO the least extent, would aHect our III
terests and compel lis TO increase our guards anu
70 strengthen our means Of protection.
Loss than n score of years ago there was a
war in Europe A great Christian Power waged
Il against weaker Mahometan Power, to make
the latter stop prosecuting ana massacrihg lis
own Christian subjects. 1t was generally re-
cardcl bv the world as an almost holy crusade
oco,nst intolerable wrongs. Russia, after
hard struggle. won the day. She proposed to
make a clean Job of it by practically making an
end Of the Ottoman power In Europe. But wneh
her armies were IN sight Of Constantnopie anu
she had concluded treaty with the vanquiSheu
Turk. a third Power INTERVIEWED. GrcaI britain
hurried ships and troops to the scene, anu
warned Russia to stop and to tear up the treaty
already made. under penalty OF war Why'
What business had she to interfere? She was
an outsider a third party whose mediation or
intervention had not been sought by the prih-
cipas In the quarrel. Nor was the integrity OF
the British Empire imperilled But there was
danger Of the balance Of power beng dls-
t,rhed. and British commercial interests I'M
naired and the general defence OF the BRUSH
rmn;re made more difficult, If Russia seized
Constantinople Therefore, 10 prevent mat
Great Britain was ready to precipltatc a gen
eral European war
Did Great Britain thus make herselr an all!
or protector Of Turkey and assume full response
billty for all the latters subsequent dolnSs
From present appearances we should say most
decidedly not. Neither, then, does the ,hi'eu
States propose TO assume a protec,orate over
the South American republics or to make l'Seh
responsible for all their dongs. 1t proposes 10
protect Its own interests, and 10 MAINTAIN there-
fore. the fundamental principle OF the Monroe
Doctrine Beyond that it will remain free from
"entanglng alliances" and free TO act as our
own honor and policy may dictate But II Great
Britain was thus interested In quarrel between
Russia and Turkey. and was Justified In inter-
veninp therein when she thought her welfare
was even remotely menaced. with what grace
can she object to this country's doing the same
In this Venezuelan affair? Surely The republics
of South and Central America are as Intimately
connected with our commercial prosperity and
political tranquility as Constantinoplc was with
hers We are no further from the Orlnoco than
she from the Dardancles