The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-20
A GREAT FACTOR
Monroe Doctrine SolidIfles Republics
Western Hemisphere.
TALKING OF POLITICAL ALLIANCE
Similar to That Existing In the
Old World.

oycr Venezuelan matters subsidized greatly
Yesterday, the result being attributable
very largely 10 the facts that the house was
not In session. and that the senate was
disposed 10 avoid preclpitate action, as
was evidenced by the course when the
house Venezuelan commission bill was re-
ccived.
Among Secretary Olneys callers yes
terday were Ministers Andrade of Nene-
yuela, Mendonca of Brazil and Romero OF
Mexico, representing three OF the first re-
publics OF South and Central America.
While the calls were enveloped in the
secrecy usually prevailing At diplomatic
functions, IL Is generally believed that the
ministers took occasion 10 thank the sec
retary of state for his vigorous assertion
OF the Monroe doctrine In its broadest
sense. That the diplomatic officials feel
very strongly In that way is beyond ques-
tion.
For some time there has been serious
apprehension in the southern republics
that when a crisis arrived the United
States would not regard 10 expedient to
vigorously enforce the Monroe doctrine.
This feeling was increased at the time OF
the British occupation of Corinto and by
the issuance soon thereafter of semi-ofh-
cial pamphlet showing the narrow limi-
tations OF the Monroe doctrine.
Under these circumstances the effect OK
the declaration of the president and the
state department has been awaited with
the deepest interest by the republics TO the
south Of the United States The message
has met their most hopeful expectations,
and the presidents utteranccs and Mr..
Olney's elaborate exposition arc accepted
-
cable like To all the countries of the West
ern hemisphere.
Tho suggestion Is made with much di-
rectness in diplomatic circles that the
course OF the United States assures to 10
the moral and physical support of all the
southern aud central republics. In the
aggregate this allied strength of tho
Western republics, with the United States
as its head, would constitute new and
formidable factor i'm international affairs
II IL not suggested among diplomatists
that such an alliance will take the formal
shane of n treaty but IL is urged that the
feeling Of union existing constitutes n
compact quite rs effective as formal un-
derstanding. In this connection, the fact
was mentioned by a diplomat that the
alliances OF the Old World-notably the
triple alliance-was not q formal treaty
made public to the world.
Senator Morgan, at present chairman of
the senate committee on foreign relations,
had an interview with Secretary Olney
Yesterday on the subject Of the Venezue-
Ian issue, and the secretary also talked
with Senator Lodge and Senator Mills on
the same matter, although he was ged
in order to do 60, to suspend his rule
against granting Interviews to any one,
not member Of the dipiomatfu corps on
Thursdays. He was also for a short time
closeted With Mr.. McAdoo, the acting sec
rotary OF che navy, who was called upon
10 furnish information on some special
subject.
The Spirit Of Americanism
still broodcd over the senate yesterday,
but although every senator who spoke
upon the subject Of the crisis in the
Great Britain and Venezuelan boundary
dispute endorsed the position OF the prcsi-
dent. they expressed the opinion that war
would not result
Still the gravity Of the situation was not
underestimated. The war talk" of the
last few days attracted to the galleries
large crowds, who followed the debate
with intense interest. The immediate
business before the senate was the house
expenses Of the commission recommended
by the president. There were some differ
ences OF opinion ~ to what disposition
should be made of it, the general opinion
being that II should 60 TO the committee
on foreign relations.
Tho debate. however, had no practical
result, as Mr.. Allen tPop, Neb.) objected
20 the second reading OF the bill. As the
bill could not be referred until 1t had
passed the parliamentary stage, further
progress was impossible, while Mr.. Allen
remained obdurate. Mr.. Allen based his
objection on the ground OF his opposition
TO precipitate acticn.
Senator Hale introduced a bill for the
increase Of tbs navy. The bill provides
for the construction Of 25 torpedo boats at
. cost of $l75, 900 each, and Of six sea- going
coastline battleships designed to carry
the heaviest armor and most powerful
ordnance upon q displacement OF 1900
tons, TO cost, exclusive OF armament
$4,000, 900 each.
How Our Southern Neigbbors Feel.
Although none Of the Central and South
American diplomats will consent TO be
quoted regarding their call on Secretary
Olney, IL Is known that they, as rule
have cabled their governments that the
present seems an opportune time for in
voking the Monroe doctrine as means of
support against European pressure, sew
eral OF them being involved in disputes
with European nations at this time.
A statement is made by one Of them
that several important resolutions will
follow. because OF the vigorous construc-
tion Of the Monroe doctrine. First, IL Is
said. will be the official adherence OF the
southern republics making the declara-
ton practically unanimous from the coun-
tries Of the Western hemisphere. 1t ia
pointed out that Lord Salisbury insisted
that the Monroe doctrine was not recog.
nizcd as international law, but this, 10 is
said. will be answered by showing that
all the republics Of North and south
America accept II as the law governing
them.
The project of another conference Of
American republics, In line with the pan
American conference, but with view 20
all