The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-28
SEATTLE. SUNDAY, APRIL es.
PERVERTED MoNRoEIsM.

PERVERTED MoSROEIsN.
or great interest at this time is an edi-
forIal In the New York Herald OF August
8. 1851. written while the elder Bennett
directed its policy. upon the Central
American question. The editorial was
written while Buchanan was president.
and the object was 10 invite considera-
ton 10 the importance OF the policy OF
the United States toward the Southern
republics. In the thIrty-elght years
eIapslng since the opinions we're ex-
pressed great changes have taken place,
but some of the conditions found then
have barely altered. and the comments
are of as much force today as then. In
deed, the editorial is even more valuable
than would be one written now, for Its
prophesles are In course OF fuinlment.
and the dim future 10 which IL referred
Is now made clear TO us by the light of
experience.
''The conditions" said the writer, which
attend our material progress as a nation,
our increasing population and commerce
on the Pacific shore. with the attendant
Increasing necessity of transit facilities
over the American isthmus. the advanc-
Ing dlsintegration OF the communities
that now rule these territories. their social
decay and utter political insignincance.
all combine 10 press upon our government
the adoption OF some policy toward them
which shall open those regions TO the I'M
disturbed passage OF commerce through
them, and restore to them the germs of
political stability and social progress
With one exception. the conditions de-
scribed remain 10 this day. 1t must be
admitted that the 'dislutegration" has
not taken place. but Advancement has
been very slow compared with that In
the northern half of the continent The
picture drawn by the Herald of the war
ring factions in nearly every Southern
republic. and the apparent hOpelesseness
OF assimilation OF the native and NIL
grating races. remains still true.
Nicaragua YVES then. as now, one OF the
chief centers or interest. She had Just
passed through a war with other repub-
lies. Gems. Jaroz and Martinez had over
tArown the provisional government OF
President Rivas, and the masses OF the
people were ready 10 take part IN any
turmoil which promised through rapine
10 give them the means Of living"
Guatemala and san Salvador were In a
turbulent condition. and Honduras hal
acknowledged herself bankrupt. Costa
Rioa was taking steps 60 fortify the San
Juan river and 60 put a navy on Lake
Nicaragua. hu, her government had set
cut on a policy of repression which was
10 insure peace. Under President Nora.
Costa Rlca WAS showing appreciation OF
the need OF encouraging commerce. hut
the Herald expressed tho opinion that
che must seek IN a fraternai anton 81
policy with this government the means
OF her own support IN the great work she
had undertaken.
Thepoliey " this government - thsn dis
oass~i The admission Of the republics
60 this Union was seen to 10 utterly ont
az the question in view o. the aeteroge-
neous populations which were all ami
mated by hostility toward each other.
The establishment o. a direct rrotso-
torate over them. exercised by officials
appointed ~ the United States. after the
manner OF she British az Mosquito ana
she Fay islands. was declared 20 TO for
slgn 20 our system - government
The problem was a. vexa,sous then as
now. not 60 much by reason 90 tAs din
Guilty we should Now md in establishing
friendly relations bait IN rse Jealous sense
Of Independent, sov Teignty which Is IN an
inverse ratio 90 the importance % che re-
public. Commercial fntsrcoavse IS likely
60 Increase and with & rhe interests ef
al American peoples Vii become mere
closely cesnenss1.
ire instability % governments que -
s,heuasnw and plotting tor rlacs ard
power forms one ~ the chies obstacles 70
tSpiornatic alliance. reGty national
pride - fasneutel ay pnzcrupulaus lead
ers Who seek 10 ride vpon popular waves
tntc authority. and an irresponsible ~
PIE ere roa3e3 or BATTERED snto acts 90
hostility - o,aer nations wAioh wc0lt
seriously ersaarrsss any power henna %
them ~ treaty obligations fer offensive
ana defensive purposes.
Desr 20 tae heart 81 the American re-a-
re a. fhe Morroe 6octrsue =. e should
re, - hastily extended 50 as % impose
.Hen "a the consequence of anarreis he
gun without our sanction aas continued
without rVxSTd to car Interests. TIE dos
tffee can % maintained ta al SIS inteS-
.sty without he.ag perverted - sntirely
saeas Sar1cxeA Our selscy sapgsa 10