Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-12-27

assuring Jul ohi"'Sl oASso
: this side of the Atlantic immunit
e from European conquest or oppres
. sion.
We do this not that we espt
cially love our neighbors, but as
matter Of self-defence.
! We prefer no, to be surrounded p
! the strong and warlike nations 2
Europe.
This is our settled policy and II
!, right that we should adhere to It.
Whether it has or has not been &C
cepted by other nations matters moth
ing to us.
:. 1t is our declaration and we mus
stand by it.
/ Ii has served us well in the past.
| 1t kept the Holy Alliance out Of
1 South America in the 20's and ban.
] jshetl the French from Mexico in the
1 COS.
1t has prevented Europe from max
! ING Of South America what she IS
now making Of Africa field for n
val conquest.
The Monroe doctrine is good
enough for us.
If England won't recognize it now
she will certainly have to soon--or
else it will have to be abandoned.
But some who believe in the Nom
roe doctrine agree with Lord Sails
bury that it doesn't apply to the Ven
ezuelan case-that a mere boundary
dispute between British colony and
an American power is not enough to
constitute q violation Of the doc
trine.
There is, to our mind, NJ question
but that IL England is unjnstly try
ing to add to her territory at Vcnezu-
elias expense, the Monroe doctrine is
being. violated.
In that case we certainly claim the
right to protest.
Is War Warranted?
Whether such violation by Great
Britain would warrant our letting
loose the dogs oiwar Is another ques-
tion entirely.
Right and policy ave two different
things.
While a strict construction Of the
doctrine may. and probably would,
justify the belief that England was
trespasser, yot it would then be a
matter for grave consideration what
we should dp.about il.
Is the couairy ready to plunge into
a frightful war to defend principle
tlAst has been, only weakly attacked ?
1t is uncomfortable that the possess
ION Of litsr more territory in South
America would make Of England a |
dangerous power when, though she
already hOhls 50 much all about us,
we do not 50 regard her.
Our other wars have been under
aiken only when we were grievouslv
oppressed.
1t is difficult to quite explain our
,elligerent feelings now.
1t England were to seize foot of
'ur land unjustly we could depend GA
he sympathy of the world in resist
ng her, but this Venezuela dispute
Gems trivial pretext for war.
Even though the British are wrong
n their claims and doubly wrong in
cfusing to arbitrate, is the Agamc
Worth the powder to us 7"
Even If the sacred Monroe doctrine
as been touched and its potency off,
tally denied by a European power, is
he infraction so pronounced as to
nstify, an appeal to arms?
Are there not other ways of resent
ng All "unfriendly act" besides war
Our relations with Great Britain
re close.
Ii she vexes us there are a hundred
rays of Furnishing her without chal-
,nging her to battle. 1
War is last resort, not to be light
undertaken, especially with a pow
+ like England.
And yet we confess that the tenden-
Y is toward war.
Both Houses Of Congress fastened
pass an appropriation of 300, 900
u the Venezuela commission. accord
lg to the presidents suggestion and
efore this article is read the commits
on will undoubtedly be appointed.
1t isexpected to report in 60 days
7 SO, and II its finding is in favor Of
N Nnpn.unl,,x aIc:.x.