The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-11
THE MONROE DOCTRINE DISCUS
SION.

The expressions of some of the Eng
lish press in commenting upon the
Presidents message, are to the effect
that the United States is impertinent
in making so much as a suggestion of
arbitration of the Venezuelan boundary
dispute, and that when the long-de-
layed reply of Lord Salisbury is re-
ceived at Washington, it will be found
to contain matter that will give this
Government reason for profound refiec-
ton.
It may be said in reference to this
fling, that it is not propitious time for
England or any other country to tell
the United States Government to mind
its own business, when the matter in
hand concerns assault upon republics
of this hemisphere or attempts at fur
Their acquisition therein of territory by
European States. The several resolu-
tions introduced into Congress on the
second day of its session, affirming the
soundness and justice of the Monroe
doctrine; calling for the recognition Of
the belligerency Of the Cuban insur-
gents; demanding recognition of the in
dependence of Cuba, and one going so
far as to announce that it is the policy
OF the United States to acquire and pos
sess all the islands lying near our main
land, because their occupancy by the
United States is essential to US in the
time of war and conservative of quie-
tude at all times-these are indications
Of sentiment entertained by many of
our people that should have the effect
of warning the English press that while
cur relations with the mother country
are amicable, they are not of a charac-
ter that may not suffer disruption.
The very last thing this country de-
sires is war with Great Britain; the
worst thing that could happen to the
two countries would be a contest in
arms which at the best would prove to
be disastrous to each. Nevertheless, it
is not outside Of the possibilities that
this assertion of the Monroe doctrine
ulay take such form as viii involve
the two nations in a struggle.
Some of the propositions relative to
the doctrine go too far, others are
There is every reason for believing that
the policy of this Government that
there shall be no acquisition of terri
tory by foreign monarchies upon the
North American Continent will be ex-
tended to cover the South American
Continent also. Because on that CONT
nent there is no monarchial rule, the
sentiment of the people Of the United
States is in favor of conserving forms
of government which will render
monarchy impossible in this hemi-
sphere any further than it now exists.
Because the American people believe
that it is to their own interests and for
the safety of this republic that there
shall be no further requirement of foot
hold in any of the Americas by Euro
pean Governments, that the Monroe
doctrine viii be maintained and prob
ably by action of Congress unmis-
takably defined and declared. But
it is not to be accepted out
of hand that this country, as is seri-
onsly proposed, will enter upon
g policy of absorption by taking
the islands lying near to our mainland.
= IS extremely doubtful If we want any
such possessions, and it is more than
doubtful If we could take them with
the consent of their people, while con-
quest is no part of our policy.
There is, then, strength in the sugges-
ton Of some of the English press that
our assertion of the Monroe doctrine
cannot go to the length proposed by
the radical proponents of it, without
carrying with it responsibilities we are
not prepared to assume. If we are to
say to all Europe. hands off of South
and Central American States complete
w." then we must undertake to make
these States deal fairly with foreign
countries, anu no JuSsiSS at e1ii 'iiiieS' -
Venezuela or Nicaragua offend and out
rage English right and trespass upon
the commonest decencies regarding
English Jurisdiction, we cannot with re-
gard for our own sense of justice OBJ
ject to England demanding justice at
the hands of the offending State, and
in case of refusal enforcing it.