New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-20
ENGLAND ITS ORIGINATOR.
HOW THE MONROE DOCTRINE CAME INTO
BEING.
A CONVERSATION BETWEEN MR. CANNING AND
MINISTER RUSH LED TO THE FAMOUS
DECLARATION AGAINST EUROPEAN
INTERVENTION IN AMERi-
CAN AFFAIRS.


INTERVENTION IN AMERI-
CAN AFFAIRS
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE]
Washington Dec. 1s-In view OF the conflicting
statements made at this time regarding the origin
OF the Monroe Doctrine. and especially the
attitude which Great Britain assumed toward that
celebrated declaration OF President Monroe at the
time that 1t proclaimed 1t may not be inoppor-
tune briefly TO state under what circumstances Pres
ident Monroe wrote his annual message In 1923 1t
may be broadly stated that the Government of Great
Britain itself primarily responsible for the bold
stand taken by the Administration OF Mr.. Monroe
against European Intervention in American affairs
and Great Britain the first and has been the
only persistent European country TO attempt the
tension of her dominion over this continent. The
abortive enterprise OF France during the civil
set up a monarchy in Mexico is the only other In
vasion of the principles declared IN the Monroe
message
France did, in 1872 cherish the purpose of inter-
vention in behalf of Spain for the recovery OF her
colonies. but she soon gave Il up when she discov-
cred that she would have TO encounter the armies
Of Great Britain and the United States combined.
II was at this critical period that the American
Minister Benjamin Rush. In the month of August,
met by invitation Mr. Canning. .he British Foreign
Secretary. In the course of conversation Mr.. Rush
expressed the hope that should France succeed in
overthr0wing the Constitutional Government In
Sna,n there was the consolation left that Great
Britain would not allow her to go further and stop
The progress of emancipation in the Spanish col
onies Mr. Canning. in note 20 the British Am
bassador at Paris, had declared that England con-
sdered the course of affairs having substantially
decided the question of the separation OF the COL
on!es from Spain although the formal recognition
Of their independence might be fastened or re-
tarded by external circumstances, as well as by
the internal condition Of the colonies themselves;
v,tan finn Of
prating to herself any portion OF those Spanish
possessions in America she also felt satisfied that
no attempt would be made by France to take pos
session Of any OF them either by cesslon from
Spain or by conquest
lir Rush moved by this significant note OF Mr.
Canning expressed to him the opinion that Eng
land would not remain passive under any such at
tempt by France. In reply. Mr. Canning asked
Mr. Rush what his Government would say TO going
hand in hand with England in such a policy. This
conversation between the American Minister pleni-
potentiary and the British Secretary OF Foreign
Affairs In London was the initial step that led TO
Mr. Monroe's declaration against European inter
venton in American affairs There was much
more of this preliminary talk tending to show that
"Barkis was more than wiin "
MR.. CANNING's SUGGESTION.
Mr. Rush on August % received an important note
from Mr. Canning. who said he was desirous OF
Infringing before the American Minister in an UNI
official and confidential form the question relating
IN the Spanlsh- American colonies. He thought the
time had arrived when the two Governments might
understand each other; and. If so, he suggested
whether It would not be expedient for themselves
and beneficial 10 all the world that American prin-
cn,es In regard TO them should be clearly settled
and avowed
l. He conceived the recovery OF the COLONIES ny
Spain TO be hopeless
. The question Of their recognition independent
States was one of time and circumstances
g. England was not disposed TO throw any i'm
ped!ment in the way of an arrangement between
the colonies and the mother country by amcabe
negotiations.
l. She aimed at the possession OF no portion Oh the
colonies for herself
s. She could not see the transfer of any portion Of
them to any other Power with Indifference.
If the United States acceded to such views
declaration TO that effect its part concurrently
with England would be the most effective and least
offensive method of making known their Joint disap-
probation of contrary projects. Mr.. Canning in
qured In a to Mr.. Rush whether he had full
powers to enter into negotiations and sign con-
venticn the subject; and If otherwise. whether
they could not exchange Ministerial notes in
lation to It, Mr.. Rush replied afirmat!vely to the
latter alternative, and added that I'VE should regard
highly unjust and as fruitful OF disastrous con-
power to take possession Of them (the late span
sh colonies) by conquest by cesson or on any other
ground or preteXt whatever but that he was not
authorized 10 enter into specific agreement. and
would Immediately communicate the Views OF His
same day he wrote to Mr. Adams. the Secretary Of
State and inclosed copy OF Mr. earnings note,
Rush said: The tone of earnestness in MI can
nng's note naturally starts the inference that the
tensions that ambitious enterprises meditated
against the independence of the new Spanish-Amer-
With the Powers cannot now
say on any authentic grounds"
ENGLAND JEALOUS Or FRENCH SCHEMES.
England was really anxious to see the colonies
Independent in order to break up the Spanish mo-
nopoly in their commerce. She well assured
that if the Spanish yoke were broken she would
in for the lions share of the South American
schemes OF France and the Holy Alliance. whct
America, but it Will be seen, that the British Gov
eminent was chary on the subject OF acknowed
ing colonial independence. she had colonies of her
own: and declarations Of independence were con-
tagious However, her practical sta tesnen We're
and they, with all Europe. at length
strained BY interest to make the acknowledgment
that South America Independent.
Mr. Rush received a second confidential note from
Mr.. Canning, urging prompt action, as the Euro
respect to Spansh-American affairs as soon as
F1ss rt spd TO @ in Spain sD M
p with repetition Of what he had previously
tempt of the European Powers TO intrench on the
independence of the spanish American colonies as
nlShly injurious ana uhIT"nhIy 10. tnlS country;
that those communities now Of right exempt
from European control. and entitled to regulate
their own concerns unmoiestcd from abroad. Mr.
Rush urged on Mr.. Canning the Importance Of
British recognition Of the independence of the Span
is!i colonies, and said that In that event he would
without waiting for further Instructions make a
declaration the of the Government that
It would not remain inactive under an attack by the
Holy Alliance on the independence OF those States
Another interview took place September IL be-
tween the Ministers. Mr. Canning entered once
upon the subject Of Spanish american affairs. Mill
tary occurrences in the peninsula. he said seemed
every day 10 be drawing nearer to a crisis in favor
Of the French arms. ana the political arrangements
projected afterward would. there good reason
TO suppose. be melistely directed the affairs
Of the late colonies. He hoped that Mr.. Rush
would see his way toward a substantial acquescence
IN his proposals They were hourly assuming new
Importance and urgency. Commercial agents were