The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-05-09
OUR RELATIONS WITH SOUTH
AMERICA.

| AMERICA.
The embryo critics of Mr.. CleVelahu
policy in regard TO Nicaragua have DIS
piayed not only the crassest Ignorance OF
| International law, but they are even low
ering the character of journalism by per-
hitting themselves to be used to crafty
partisan hate and political Jealousy.
The wisdom and prudence that Mr..
Cleveland has displayed in avoiding I'M
pleasant relations with England IN TINS
| Nicaragua matter will be a precedent
ouoted by the wisest statesmen OF this
country long after these detractOrs, and
even the memory Of their criticisms, vii!
have lapsed into deserved oblOquy. Our
relations with South American govern
ments. especially with reference to the
fact that the Monroe doctrine has been
accepted 50 long by our government as a
part Of the unwritten international law.
are most delicate and must be handled
with the greatest prudence and wisdom.
While it is our duty 10 see to it that
no European power forces possessions in
South America. it is not our duty to back
every South American government,
whether right or wrong in their relations
or disputes with European powers. If
one Of these governments did US an injury
it would be our duty to demand and en-
force if necessary. reparation, and We
must allow other countries the same priv
ilegcs. II is not supposed the Monroe
doctrine was adopted by this govern
ment for the benefit Of South American
governments. but for cur own self protec-
ton. That is its main idea and its main
object. The bare. cold fact is that this
government is only concerned in the af-
fairs Of South American governments
when our interest is involved. That in
terest, or rather the protection of that in
terest, may enure to the benefit of the
country in which it is exercised, but that
is the length Of our obligation as far as
these countries are concerned and as far
as the Monroe doctrine demands. Per
haps our government might not restrict
itself to such a cold and selfish idea if
one if these neighbors of ours was OPP
pressed by a European government, but
the environments of each case of this
kind would influence the determination
and action of this government.
If the Monroe doctrine went to the eX-
tent that some of Mr.. Cleveland's critics
think it does. we would be compelled
to champion every difficulty a
South American government became in
vOved in with a European power and
these South American governments, al
ways and at all times intermeddling and
quarrelsome, would have it in their power
to keep us constantly embrOiled in their
difficulties, whether they were right or
wrong. That would be n contemplate and
weak position for such a great and just
government as we have to be placed in
by any other country and one in which we
will never be cntangled as long as such
men as at the present are at the head of
the Federal GOV eminent.
If we are under the obligations these
embryo critics declare we are in regard
to the South American governments,
then every little South American govern
ment would absolutely rule our foreign
policy. This country, if they are correct,
would be nothing more than a big, brutal
giant, without any control of itself, but
under the control of every South Ameri-
can government that chose to embroil it
self in difficulty with a foreign power,
and order us out to defend it and shield
it from perhaps the just blows of such
power. This is not that kind of govern
mcnt. but it is governed by its own brain,
prompted by patriotism, and when occa-
sion demands ready even to act in behalf
Of the right on sympathy grounds.