Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-23
WOLCOTT LEADS
IN outspoken Opposition to the
Senate Declaration.
MONROE DOCTRINE Is ALL RIGHT,

"ihistrhtlon Hcaiings with the Nenezue-
Tan Question Misinferpret the Same
First Speech in Congress Unqualifiedly
Antsgonizing the Popular View Of the
Case and Even Euiosizng John bull.
WASHINGTON. Jan. e3-The FIRST voice
- far raised In tho senate in radical an
tagonism to the presidents spirited for
eign policy in relation TO the Venezuelan
dispute is that of Senator wolcott. Of Col
orado. which was heard yesterday before
full senate and the galleries well occupied
by listeners. He said that the resolution
which the committee on foreign relations
had reported, tho effect Of which might be
most far-reaching as affecting our policy
and relations toward other friendly gov.
crnments, required some discussion and
careful investigation. Continuing, he
said:
States His Position in Brief
"The few remarks shall make will be
chiefly to the effect that the so-called Nom
roc doctrine has been misapplicd in tho
prnding controversy; that SO much Of
President Monroe's message rs referred to
The colonization Of portions Of America by
European powers could have no applica-
bility to any boundary dispute now exist
ing in South America; that the hostility
to the extension by European powers of
their systems to any portion of this hem.
isphcrc, as expressed in that message, had
especial reference to the systems of gov
Crnmcnt which were based on the divine
right Of kings and which were directed TO
the overthrow OF all republics wherever
existing; that the Monroe doctrine was in
nowise intended as insisting upon rcpub-
lican forms Of government in this hem
isphcrc,o or rs committing this government
20 maintain the doctrine outside its own
borders. or except rs its own integrity
might bc affected; that this country is
cmbarking upon n new and different
policy from the one laid down by our
fathers, and that from 1921 until now con-
grcss has uniformly declined to define the
so.called Monroe doctrine or to adopt it rs
rule Of action.
Oiney's Letter Almost Incendiary.
"Thcrc has been much tension for the
last few weeks. The letter of the sccre-
tary of state to Mr.. Bayard was, from q
diplomatic point Of view almost incendi-
with the possibilities of war Members of
both houses of congress, mot u be out
done. fo!tcwnd r;io presidents Suggestion
rs to the appointment OF commission
with fevcrish haste. Just what the COM
mission l. to do or how /. Is to- do it no.
body knows, but we have created it and 1t
Stands, as yet more of n menace TO than "a
guaranty of peace. The efforts of the gov
erument to fire the national heart have not
been unavniling, nor was thework difficult.
There was discomfort too with existing
conditions in many sections of the coun-
try, and men feel that any change, even
war with foreign country. could not
make matters worse and might bring i'm
proycmcnt.
Rings In the Financial Issue.
"Thcrc arc all over the west and south
men who view with distrust the close
financial relations existing between the
bankers Of the east anu those of London,
and they would welcome any event, even
war; that would result, rs they believe
in destroying these relations and
lead us to rely upon our resources
alone and to embrace economic
policies which would not be dependent
ON those of foreign countries. Thought.
less and weak and ignorant these views
may be, Mr.. President, but the person
who denies their existence Is not familiar
with the conditions or opinions in many
states OF the union.
british Volunteers Ever In the Front.
''Not only was the Monroe doctrine the
direct outcome of English suggestion, but
In all the wars for independence fought
In swanps ana junglcs and in the fever
infested districts OF these tropical provinces
ot south America, and In the long strug
giles Tor liberty which drenchcd the Span
iSh colonies In America with the blood of
patriots, British volunteers fought ever In
the front of battle. Without Great Brit
aims aid Venezuela might not be free.
President Monroe protested not against
dcspotic government. but against its forci-
BILE extension by the dreadful holy alli-
ancc in this western world, Of which he
stood In well grounded fear. The Monroe
doctrine was essentially u doctrine Of self
dcfcnsc-promulgatcd for our own pre-
scrvation and Tor no other purpose