New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-03
CONTINENTAL POLICY.


The recent troubles at Corinto, Notwithstanding
the failure Of the Administration TO take an a''-
tudc in harmony with the ideas of the great pody
of the American people, will not have been ehlire
" proftless 10 the United States II they result Ill
widespread feeling for American solidarity anu
deeper understanding by the people M large vi
our Diplomatic traditions and interests III
country so large as ours and in many Things so
sufficient TO itself it is easy to forget That we nave
any vital interest in the dongs OF our own heish
hors or their relations to others. Our desire 10
avoid cntangng alliances may sometimes leave
lis Indifferent to the doings OF others wmch lha!
hrnc trouhe upon us We have indefinite no.
tons of American supremacy IN America anu vi
tho existence Of the Monroe Doctrine but just
what the latter means and just now the 1orlntr II
affected by particular incidents we are apt TO for
get in our absorption in our domestic AFFAIRS. ~"
organization like the Republican Club OF this
city can do no greater service Than by pointing
ont TO those within the sphere Of its influence the
meaning Of what is going on around us and the
LIGHT which history throws on the proper method
of solving our problems. That the clup mas re-
Gently done. in spreading before the public re-
mort of It's Committee on National Affairs, OF
which Ellis H. Roberts is chairman. concerning
ing Of the Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine, OF course. Is not law. Do
nestle or international. 1t is an early declaration
of American policy concerning the relations OF the
Old World and the New Other nations are not
bound by II. the Little America party In our own
country NAV think it Of no importance but 1t has
been force in the preservation OF the American
Republics. When the allied Powers Of Europe, at
~ a
recover her revolted colonies. the voice OF the
United States gave them notice that such inter
ference would not be tolerated. President Mon
roc acting on the advice Of Jefferson and John
Quincy Adams. gave utterance TO the sentiments
which have since borne his name. 1t was only 4
declaration, but it declared what were the unanl-
mons sentiments OF the American people, have
heen ever since. and will continue 10 be. Nor
have we hestated to enforce our views on the
world. notably when Napoleon III attempted to
establish an Austrian prince 10 rule over Mexico
While we do not need to interfere in the affairs OF
orr neighbors we may properly demand that
their weakness shall not give encouragement Tor
| exactions which would not be made from equals
by European Powers The claim Of England
| AGAINST Nicaragua was one for adjudication not
! for collection by armed force Not TO protect
| Nicaragua In wrongdoing but 10 exercise our
good Offices to secure her from arbitrary aggres-
| sions would have been an exercise OF power by
the American Government fully in accord with
| the traditions Of over half a century. Instead we
never even suggested that our neighbor have con-
siderate treatment but left that agreeable task TO
| the little State of Salvador. As the Republican
Club report points out, have declared our
selves in the Monroe Doctrine opposed 10 all OPP
| preston Of any American State. Whether Eng
land had lust claim not, the manner OF It's en-
| forcement was oppressive, and one which would
not have been attempted with any but n weak
country and one which. as proved 10 be the case
with Nicaragua had powerful friend willing
to demand for her fair treatment.
This incident Is ended but its train Of consc-
oucnccs is not. Therein is the value Of the Re
publican Clubs declaration. As Washington
saw and said. the policy Of European nations in
America Is founded on solishness. Our own ok
perencc in Bchring Sea Of the inability OF Great
Britain to take any but the narrowcst view OF
personal commercial interest Of the questions in
volved. and her promised attitude toward the
pending question Of the Alaskan boundary should
convince lis that in America. as in Europe and
Asia every step Of invasion. every shadow OF
claim, will be made the basis for extending the
power Of a nation with an Unsuitable appetite for
possessions and for trade The recognition OF
that fact does not mean unfricndlincss TO Great
Britain but simple understanding Of a National
trait a taste for external ACKNOWLEDGEMENT natu-
raj to a country grown prosperous by It's ex-
ercise. 1t simply teaches Us that the Monroe
Doctrine Of resisting every effort TO extend for
eign influence on this Continent though IT be but
a sentiment. is one 10 which the United States
should religiously adhere The Republican Club
does good work in reminding us that true
Americanism. without being truculcnt In spirit,
should look beyond the borders OF the United
States in making plans for the peace, welfare aud
development Of Its inhabitants