The herald., 1896-02-18
Senator Davis Speaks on the
Monroe Doctrine
ARBITRATION NOT FAVORED
OF the Acquirement Of Territory by For.
eign Nations
cemmIttee Report Fsvoring the Claim O.
Dupont to Sit ss Senator-ciaims
OF the Militia

WAsHINeTo Feb. l7.--Mr. Davis of
Minnesota secured recognition at 80 for
his speech on his motion enunciating the
policy of the United States on the Monroe
doctrine. The senator left his desk in the
rear of the chamber and took an advan-
tageous position at Mr.. Hale's desk, near
the front and middle of the chamber. He
smoke without manuscript or notes. but be-
fore him was portfolio containing num-
erous historical papers to which he re-
fsrred. At the outset Mr.. Davis voice was
thin and sometimes inaudible, but it grew
ia force and volume as he proceeded.
ut is a matter of common observation"
said Mr.. Davis in beginning, THAT each
year our foreign relations increase in diff
Guilty. complexity and importance. This
results from the growth of our nation and
to the tendency of the times to bring to-
Rether nations in social and commercial
intercourse.
at was this tendency" said the senator,
(which explained the fact that the United
States was involved in more difficulties
with Great Britain than with all other
countries combined"
He was glad to know, however, that the
last month had brought some amelioratiOn
Of the immediate difficulties TO which the
attention OF the country had been given.
II the new conditions were founded on the
Monroe doctrine, then they would receive
the warmest approval of the people, but if
they involved any concession of the policy
laid down by President Monroe, then the
people of this country would visit upon
such concession their condemnation and
0isapproval.
Davis said that as he understood the
an
United States that it would regard as an In-
fringement any attempt by European
powers to take or acquire any new or add-
tional territory on the American continent
or any islands adjacent thereto, or any
right of sovereignty or dominion and that
gerous to the peace and safety OF the
United States.
The senator reviewed at length the con-
dition existing in Europe at the time of the
enunciation of the Monroe doctrine. He
did not view the course of the British
statesman. Canning, who favored the doc
tride as inspired by love for this country.
1t was a movement in behalf of British
trade. then beginning TO expand the world
over.
Speaking of the criticism that the pend
ing resolution contemplated protectorate
over South American countries, Mr.. Davis
said 1t would bear no such force. 1t sug-
gested no guardianship over southern
countries. None of them was relieved
from the chastisement of war by foreign
country, the only condition being that ter
ritorial extension shall not result from
such war. There was nothing new in the
spirit of this doctrine. 1t was recognized
and enforced by European governments.
and Turkey offered marked instance of
the mutual agreement to refrain from ter
ritorial extension in the Ottoman empire.
Davis referred to the statement of Lord
s-A... kI.,S& &l.<~A
based on any canon of international law.
and the senator insists that the right is
vested in any nation to interfere in the
affairs OF another state when conditions
are dangerous to its own peace and safety
This was recognized principle of interna-
tional law, upheld by English authorities,
from whom the senator quoted.
Taking up the islands of Cuba and
Hawaii Mr.. Davis showed the consistent
and persistent course of the United States
in applying the spirit OF the doctrine to
these islands. 1t had been invoked in the
case of uba whenever England OF France
had sought to get foothold there. In the
case of Hawaii a resolu ion had been
passed at the last session of congress de.
claring that the United States would not
look with favor on any foreign intervention
10 the affairs of Hawaii. The senator re-
ferred to the debate over Hawaii and the
efforts to restore to the Hawaiian throne
"a sanguinary and barbarous tlueen.' II
1t was proper to have such a resolution as
that to Hawaii, why should question be
raised as TO the policy of firm pro.ectoratt
and enunciation of the disposition of tiIt
Monroe doctrine to the pending difficulty.
Mr.. Davis took UP the Venezuelan CUES
ton. Venezuela had steadfastly claimed
the Essiqubo river as the rightful bound
ary. The claim of Great Britain had beel
shifted SO constantly and had increased
tmmeasurably in recent years.
map showing the various claims ol
Great Britain is bewildering in it's intri
cacy. Great Britain had never fixed q
definite line and declared 'here is the
limi -
On the contrary she had pushed west
ward to the Orinoco river until the Br isl
claim covered 10000 square miles of Ven
ezuelan territory. Concerning this terri
tory Great Britain asserted there should bt
no arbitration.
In depicting the advance of British
claims Mr.. Davis exhibited an old mar
and pamphlet prepared by Sir Rober
schomburg. showing the line laid down by
him. The senator said he was pleased tc
hear from across the water in the reports
OF the parliamentary debate that conces
eions had been made which would tenC
toward a settlement. Butt this settlement
was based eli that feature of the president,
message suggesting mutual settlement
between England and Venezuela, the peo
10 it. 1t would amount to territorial ex
tension. AS whole, the presidents mes
sage had been unobjectionable. but wher
the document was scrutinized it will be
found to contain reservation, exception
and diminuLion of the Monroe doc
trine never before attempted by al
American statesman except Calhoun
This diminutlon OF the Monroe
doctrine was contained in the president's
brief approval Of a voluntary agreement
between England and Venezuela. IL we.
no part of the Monroe doctrine that an,
6outh American state to foreign govern
States. 1t was much a menace if the
extension of territory was voluntary and
peace .ble as though it were the result of q
conquest. At the present time the adop
ton of such an idea would permit Grea
Britain under the pretense of a voluntar,
settlement to advance her territory il
South America. Venezuela is now und el
the duress of Great biitrin, declared the
senator. A British ultimatum had beer
addressed to Venezuela. What then coulc
result from any pretense of a voIuntar,
agreement when CIR at Britain dominated
Venezuela and the latter country was with
out the power of exercising free will.
Mr.. Davis spoke strongly in favor of tn,
resolution, and pointed out many salutary
re 4soIs.
The present resolution contemplated n,
policy of interfering whenever a European
po@er attempted TO chastise one of tn,
$ Juth American states. This was a crude
conception of the Monroe doctrine.
Rapnrta had foronh q douod = x..o4., L j..