Evening star., 1896-12-21

After tracing the uprisings in Mexico. Ven
ezuela. Chile and Argentine Republic
against Spanish rule, the report says:
The question of Intervention began in
1877. The Spanish government appealed to
the European powers for aid. The czar
openly took sides with Spain. and when, In
September. 1917, the Spanish government
asked permission to build several ships of
war in the Russian dockyards, the czar
suggested that Spain should buy five ships
OF the line and three frigates belonging to
the Russian navy. This was done, and the
ships were sent to the seat of war. At the
same time, In October. 1917, the Russian
government Instructed it's ambassador In
London to press on the British government
the great Importance of European interven-
ton.
President Monroe decided, as early as
April, 1918, to discourage European media
ton. In August he made formal pro-
posal to the British ana French govern
nents for a concerted and contemporary
recognition of Buenos Ayres. whose de
facto independence made that country the
natural object of a first step toward the
establishment of general policy In De-
cember he notified both governments that
me had patiently waited without interfering
in the policy of the allies. but as they had
rot agreed upon anything. and as the fact
of the independence of Buenos Ayres ap-
peared established, he thought that recog-
milton was necessary. In January, 1919, he
announced to them that he was actually
considering the measure.
Thus all parties had agreed early as
1S17 and 1918 upor. the propfiety of inter-
vention between Spain and her colonies.
Both the United States and Europe asserted
that the time had come-they disagreed only
as to the mode When Lord Castlereagh, at
the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle, in October.
1873, proposed to the four ether powers Ito
intervene in the war between Spain and her
American colonies by addressing onerS OIL
mediation to the Two belligerents," Russia
Ell rergetically opposed and rejected the
scheme. not because it was Intervention,
but apparently because it was mediation.
and to- that extent recognized rights in the
insurgents.
President MOnrOe's Fiat.
When President Monroe interposed his
fiat, that no Interference could be counte-
nanced by him except on the basis of inde-
pendence. he dictated in advance the only
mode of Intervention which he meant to
permit. If he waited before carrying 1t out,
1t was only BECAUSE, in the actual balance
of European and American power he felt
that isolated action might in1ure the cause
he had determined to help. be waited IN
Nain Neither England nor any OF ef power
moved again. After h delay of four years
from the time when he began his policy, the
Greek revolt In Europe and the military
successes of Bolivar and lturblde IN Amer
lea gave the desired opportunity, and Mon
roe sent to Congress his celebrated message
of March 3, 1922, recommending the recog-
milton of all the revolted colonies OF Spaln'
Mexico. Colombia. Chile and Buenos Ayres.
These countries asked more. They based
their claim on their independence de facto,
and Monroe admitted its force. The prov
nces,' he said. (which have declared their
independence, and are in the enjoyment OF
It, ought to be recognized" He added that
the measure is proposed under thorough
conviction that 1t is in strict accord with
the law of nations In reality, 1t created
the law, so far as It's action went. and Its
legality was recognized by no European
power.
Nevertheless Monroes act, which extn-
guished the last hopes of the Holy Alliance
in America, produced the deepest sensation
among European conservatives and gave
to the United States extraordinary consid-
GRAFTON. England used 1t as a weapon at
the congress of Verona to threaten the
other powers when they decided on inter-
vention In Spain. Slowly Canning came
wholly over to the side of Monroe. as
France and Austria forced his hands in
Spain.
The principle thus avowed by Canning
added little to the European law of inter-
but the principles avowed by Mon
roe created entire body of American ju-
As an isolated act it meant
little; but in Monroe's view 1t was not an
isolated act: il was part Of a system alto
gether new, and wholly American Monroe
lost no time in doubts or hesitations. In
his annual message of December, 1S23. he
announced the principle 1.-THE Monroe doc
trine) that the new nations which his act
by that act placed outside Of the European
system. and that the United States would
regard any attempt to extend that system
among them as unfriendly TO the United
States. From that day to this the Ameri-
can people have always, and unanimously,
supported and approved the Monroe doc
trine. They needed no reasoning to prove
that it was vital to their safety.
Within chat range, President Monroe at
tempted to build up an American system
He disclaimed the right or the intention to
interfere with actual European possessions
In America, so long as these communities
were contented to remain European; but
he claimed and exercised, under the broad
est principle the right to intervene in favor
of communities that plainly displayed their
wish and their power to be American; and,
he asserted and used in it's fullest extent
the right to judge, for himself, and finally,
both as to 'time and mode"-both when
and how-any particular community proved
its will and its right to claim admission
into the American system. Against the op-
position of all Europe, and at the risk Of
many and serious embarrassments, Mon
roe took and successfully held ground
which his successors have struggled with
varying fortune, to maintain.
The Recognition of Texas.
In the case Of the recognition of Texas
the report quotes from a report made by
Mr.. Clay, from the Senate committee on
foreign relations. which says:
1.-The recognition of Texas as an inde-
pendent power may be made by the United
States in various ways: First by treaty;
second, by the passage of law regulating
intercourse between the two
powers; third, by sending diplomatic
agent to Texas with the usual credentials;
or, lastly, by the executive receiving and
accrediting a diplomatic representative
from Texas, which would be a recognition
as far the executive only is competent to
make it. In the first and third modes the
of the Senate in its executive
character would be necessary, and in the
second in its legislative character.
1.-The Senate alone, without the co-opera-
ton of some other branch of the govern
ment, Is not competent to recognize the ex-
istence of any power.
THE President of the United States, by
the Constitution, has the charge of their
foreign intercourse. Regularly he ought to
take the initiative in the acknowledgment
of the independence of any new power, but
in this case he has not yet done it, for rea-
sons which he without doubt, deems suffi-
cient. II in any instance the President
should be tardy. he may be quickened in
the exercise of his power by the express
sion of the opinion, or by other acts of one
or both branches of Congress, as was done
in relation to the republics formed out of
Spanish America. But the committee do
not think that on this occasion any tardi-
ness is justly imputable to the executive.
About three months only have elapsed
stnce the establishment Of an ip.3onan,ont