The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-22
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
Ex-Minister Jarvis Interviewed
Experience when I'm Brazil.

Matters pertaining to the Venezuelan
affair being the absorbing topic the
editor of the Greenville Reflector in
terviewed eN-Alinistcr Thos. j. Jarvis.
and obtained his views on the Presi-
dents message, and the following is
what he said to our questions:
eporter-"As you spent four years
in South America, it may be of inter
est to the public to have an expression
of your views on the Presidents re-
cent message ON Venezuelan affairs, and
we will be glad to publish them, IL
you have no objection"
Mr.. Jarvis-'I have no objection to
giving them. / have read the message
with great pleasure and hearty APP
proval | am delighted to see the Pres
ident take SO bold stand in aifirmance
| and support of the Monroe doctrine"
Reporter-"Did you give any special
attention to the Monroe doctrine while
you were a Minister of the United
States i'm South American"
Mr.. JarviS-"NeS; Immediately after
my appointment | devoted myself to
the study of international law and es-
pecially to the Monroe doctrine in it's
applications to European relations
with the South American countries"
Reporter-"Did YOU have any oc-
| casion to assert the Monroe doctrine
while YOU were representing this coun-
try at the government OF Brazil.'
Mr.. Jarvs-"Yes. The English gov
erument was pressing the collection of
d claim against the government of
Brazil. The English Minister address,
ed a very tart note to the Brazilian
Minister of Foreign Affairs which Gre
ated intense eXcitementin theBrazilian
Parliament which was then in session.
The situation became SO acute that it
looked for some days as if the English
Minister'S passport would be sent to
him and diplomatic relations broken
of. 1t was at this stage of the pro-
cecdings that the English Consul Gen
eral. who was a man of long eXper-
fence and fine ability, had an inter-
view with me i'm which these laconic
and pointed questions and answers
were asked and given:
English Consul General-'Are your
people i'm earnest about the Monroe
doctrine""
american Minister-T think so "
English Consul Generate we
were 10 take possession of two of the
| IDIdLtlldH PRIV lllNfS anu ltOlN NAtAi III VIZ
our claims are paid, do you think your
government. in the maintenance of the
Monroe doctrine, would interfere"
american Minister-'Yes; my gov
| ernment viii not permit it and if your
country does not desire TO come in con-
hict with mine you had better not at
| tempt it,
/ in a few days the English Minister
modified his attitude and the matter
was amicably settled | do not say my
position ON the Monroe doctrine had
ANYTHING to do with the amicable adj
iustment of the controversy, but | will
say that | heard no more of seizing
Brazilian territory.
Reporter-"Do YOU think war is
imminent between this country and
Eneland?"
Mr.. ,Jarvis-"I do not. If the Presi-
dent maintains his firm attitude and
Congress stands up to him England
will find some way to adjust her diff
culties with Venezuela without involv-
i'm the United States IN the matter. If,
however. war should come. as much as
it is to be deplored, it will not be as
calamitous to us as a nation as sur
render of one iota Of the Monroe doc
trine as Americans interpret it.