The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-04-29

TT is only through some application OF
States can have any concern in the Mic
araguan dispute. If Nicaragua were In
Asia or Africa England might bully her
all she a a mind to. might even make
a conques of her entire territory, with
out any thought of interference on our.
part. 1t is only because Nicaragua is an
American state that we are supposed to
be concerned in the quarrel.
It is worth while, therefore. keeping
clearly IN mind the Monroe doctrine
is, and also getting a fair idea of what it
is not. If the Republican editors gave
five minutes cool study to it before begin
ning to write, we should assuredly have
less ~bull-headed inf1ammatory nonsense
printed for the misguidance of the public.
In Yesterdays Herald there was an
article by John Bach McMaster, our best
living historian, which everyone might
well study in the present crisis. 1t gives
the history of the doctrine and a care
ful and lucid definition of it. 1t may be
said, in passing, that the Herald" has
done a patriotic service in publishing
30 careful and discriminating an essay
from so authoritative a source. Mr.. Nc
Master gives the doctrine in its subdi-
visions as follows:-
/. Nc more European colonies on these
q. No extension of the European politi-
cal system to any part of this henri
sphere.
8. No European interposition in the af-
fairs of the Spanish-American Repub-
lies. pehg
After a discussion of some of the his
torical occasions upon which the doctrine
was asserted. Mr.. McMaster concludes
as follows
From these and a host of minor in
stances i is perhaps not Impossible to
/. 1t must be remembered, in the first
place, that the declaration IN which
Monroe, in 1923, consulted his Cabinet and
his two predecessors, Jefferson and Madi-
son, related to the meddling of the Powers
of Europe In the affairs of American
Q. That the kind of meddl.ng then de-
clared against was such as tended to
control the political affairs of American
Powers, or was designed to extend to
the New World the political system and
institutions of the old.
8. That the declaration did not mark
but merely asserted hat interpretation
of the kind mentioned would be consid-
cred as dangerous to our peace and
safety, and a manifestation of an I'M
friendly disposition toward the United
i. That this doctrine has never been
Sn5arend hu INV racrJ11f.an or apt of
Congress, but still remains the declar-
alton OF a President and his Cabinet.
in Z: Hs@ye propeT and nc W patr a ! : do oa fm,
and as such has been Endorsed by the
people of the United States, and needs
Congress, rule this country. It is not
of the smallest consequence, therefore,
whether Congress ever has, or ever does
bears the name of the first President to
s. The Monroe doctrine is a simple and
plain statement that the people of the
United States oppose the creation of
European dominion on American soil;
that that they Il gov opEese the os tmnr;ssn Of sat, the se
European Powers, and that any attempt
to do these things will be regarded as
WHAT the remedy should be for such
tnterposition by European Powers the
doctrine does not pretend to state. But
pie Of the United States consider any
thing dangerous to their peace and
safety. they will do as other nations
do. and # necessary defend their peace
and safety with force of arms
forelbie intervention By the United States
In any legitimate contest. but It will NOT
permit any such contest to result in
the Increase of European power or in
iuence on this continent nor in the over.
throw 1T an existing government, MOI
IN the establishment of a protecforatc
over them, nor in the exercise of any
direct control oyer their policy or insti-
tutaons. Further than this the doctrine
does not go. 1t does not commit us te
take part in wars between a South
American Republic and a European
Sovereign when the object Of the latter
Is not tine founding of a monarchy I'M
der a European prince In place of an
overthrown Republic. In the present in.
stance, therefore, the doctrine does mo-
apply so iont as England does not hold
ne ports of Nicaragua longer than e
necessarypto secure the paymen OF the
yum she - determined 70 extort. Should