Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-27
FOR PROTECTION
South American Republics to Band
Together.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE A PRINCIPLE
It's Maintenance a Matter of
Necessity With Them.
THIS GOVERNMENTS POSITION

A number of diplomats resident in
Washington are talking with consider
able interest on the subject of an interna-
tional agreement between the republics of
America for mutual protection against the
aggressions of European nations.
The Monroe doctrine is no longer prin-
ciple of the United States alone. For all
practical purposes, relating solely to the
interests. of this country within her own
territory, the Monroe doctrine is of less
Importance than it is to every other repub-
lie on the continent. Serious aggression on
the territory of the United States is hard
ly to be contemplated as likely to come
from any European government because
those nations realize that they would have
too formidable Il people to deal with But
among the republics of Central and South
America there Is constant dread of I'M
Just treatment and IF unfair seizure of
their territory by nations of Europe For
this reason the Monroe doctrine appeals
10 public sentiment south of Mexico to a
FAR greater degree thln it does north of it,
where the doctrine is locked upon as a
principle sure to bring trouble when its
violation has become general In the cast
OF the former the evils attending the vio-
iatlon OF the doctrine are now present be-
ing Illustrated by many instances, where
future.
Some Cases fn Point.
The Venezuelan question, in which the
entertainments of Great Britain are being
experienced to an alarming degree, is per-
maps the most important viola ton of the
Monroe doctrine that Is now pending The
British occupation of the Island Of T,ini-
cad, which so lately stirred up the people
OF Brazil, has been considered by all the
nations of Central and South America as
an instance of foreign aggression likely to
be experienced by any of them The cues
ton between Great Britain and Brazil in
the case of British Guiana is adding fuel
10 me flames OF popular alarm. end British
occupation of the Falkland Islands Is
pointed to as an instance OF how might
makes right The Argentine government
still chafes over Great Britains act in
siezing the Falkland Islands, and the lit
tie government of Nicaragua feals injured
by the mandatory manner of Great Britain
in collecting $4,000 damages assessed by
England and insisted upon with very little
parieying.
Every year adds injuries to the list of
what is regarded throughout Central and
South America as unfair advantage taken
of their weakness by the greatest naval
power. Individually, these countries are
not strong enough to cope with any of the
leading European nations. and they feel
tfat their only safety is in co-opera ton.
1t Is likely that this cooperation will take
the form of a mutual agreement declaring
in favor CT the resistance by all the nations
OF this continent of any further aggression
on American soil by European nations.
The Monroe Doctrine Popular.
If this agreement is enter ID into. it will
result in all of the American republics con-
sc erins that any violation of the Monroe
doctrine in any country is an injury to all.
1t is not thought likely that the agreement
will be for any purpose except mutual pro-
lection against foreign aggression, but men
who believe in this course think that it
should eventually be made an agreement
for the protection against any unfair treat
ment of American republics by European
nations. Such methods as Great Britain
adopted for collecting an indemnity from
Nicaragua, It is thought, should not only
be condemned. but decisive action should
be taken so that no nation on this CONT
nent could be placed in position TO tame
" submit to such unfair treatment.
Whatever may be the popular interest,"
current here in the Monroe doctrine, it is
tame alongside the sentiment on the same
subject existing in many of the other lead
ing American republics. In Brazil. for m
stance, there is popular movement look
ing toward the erection of n handsome
statue to the memory of James Monroe.
This statue is to be erected in Rio de ia
metro. This is but one instance OF the pop
ularity of the Monroe doctrine In the South
American republics. The name of Monroe
is given many things in order to show the
favor with which the doctrine of that lame
is held. Many believers III the Monroe doc
trine in the South American rep lblics think
that not only European latlonS SIloulu De
prohibited from increasing territory on this
side of the Atlantic, but that they should
be caused to move off such possessions as
they now have. Through most of the South
American republics this is the burning
question of the day, taking predominance
in politics. and on which there is 10 per-
ceptihle difference of opinion as 20 the gen.
eral principle involved
Position of the United States.
In most of these South American repub-
lies there is a feeling that the United
States has been slow to recognize violations
of the Monroe doctrine and to enforce its
principles. Among the smaller of these re-
publcs the United States is always looked
to in the hour of danger, and regret is very
general when this government has failed
to take any part in enforcing the long-ac-
copied doctrine which bearS the name of
one of the first Presidents of the republic.
The slowness of the United States to step
in and act as friendly big brother in he
half of other republics too weak TO make
any show of resistance is one of the causes
that has led to the talk now current in
diplomatic circles regarding the necessity
for an International compact or American
alliance for defensive purposes. No gov
eminent has yet taken any official action
looking to the realization of this alliance,
but the people of all the governments are
ready to discuss such proposition. and
diplomats are quietly talking about the
form it should take and the best lime to
bring it about. 1t may be that this ques-
ton will have reached a stage for public
discussion before the next session of Con-
gress adjourns 1t is not Xix 5ly that the
United States will take any leading part in
the movement, though the popularity of the
Monroe doctrine here and the necessity for
it's immediate enforcement would assure
the proposition serious hearing.
Puzzled About "a 'Terrnpin.
From the Macon Ga.) Telegraph.
A terrapin about as large around as a