The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-10-20
BISMARCK's WORDS, "UNCOMMON
INSOLVENCY." REFERRING TO
MONROE DOCTRINE.
WHAT SENATOR DAVIS SAYS.
UNHAPPY IN SELECTION OF
WORDS.
DEFINITION
OF WAR.
State University Football Team Is
Not Scared. but Hard at work
for Future Games.

Senator C. K. Davis delivered the
last of a series Of interesting lectures
upon international Law yesterday
afternoon in the auditorium OF the IL
brary building at the state university.
During the course of his remarks. the
senator said:
'It is announced by the paper this
morning that Prince Bismarck has pro-
nounced the Monroe doctrine to be one
of uncommon insolence.' l call atten-
ton to this fact to illustrate that which
l have said during the course OF these
lectures that not a day passes that
we do not have presented to us some
topic of interest in connection with our
international relations. OF course,
whatever comes from the great ex-
chancellor, whose words for twenty
five years made rulers tremble in their
capitolS, are spoken of in his retirement
as of serious Importance. The phrase
attributed to him is not happily chosen.
Such a statement regarding the great
American policy, which was inaugural
ed when that eminent man was
school boy, is not likely to touch the
sensibilities of the American people in
a very complacent spot
After explaining the origin of the
Monroe doctrine, the speaker said: IF
the Monroe doctrine means anything,
or If we mean anything by 1t, we mean
to stand by it. We did so two years
ago, when England proposed to en-
croach 1000 square miles of Venezuela,
and the result was that England was
made to arbitrate. We say to all the
nations of the earth that they shall not
lay their hands on Cuba. We would
not allow France or Germany to lay
their hands on that island. So much
greater is the duty upon ourselves to
observe the behests of humanity in the
case of that unfortunate island"
Regarding the rights and obligations
of two nations at war with each other,
the speaker said: WAR is a state of
armed hostility between two nations.
1t is made for the purpose of securing
or defending a right. Unless for one
of these purposes it is wicked and en-
tirely unjustifable. In the nature of
things, every nation being independ-
ent it is the sole judge Of the ques-
ton of right as to whether it shall
commit itself to war, and a fearful re-
sponsibility is thus upon it. In former
times, no war was held to be legal I'M
less a formal declaration was made;
this is no longer necessary. 1t is neces-
sary to announce the time of the be-
ginning of war for various legal obli-
cations and reasons. When war be-
gins between two nations it is an i'm
portant fact that all of the inhabitants
of one of the belligerent nations be-
come the legal enemies of all the in
habitantS of the other belligerent ma
ton.
The modes of conducting war, of
course, have been ameliorated in the
progress of time. The best and most
humane authorities maintain that a
merciful war is quick, sudden and
decisive war; that the true object of
war is to conquer and honorable peace.
There are laws of war and laws of
peace. The use of poisoned bullets, or
explosive bullets for small arms is for
hidden by the law of nations. 1t is
not right to poison the springs of
water Never now, as in former times,
can an enemy invade a foreign coun-
try and spread out it's parties of de-
Vestators to take the private property
of the non-combatant. 1t is as secure
as if no war existed. Upon the sea
this is different
An extended explanation of the right
of search upon the seas and the con-
fiscation of contraband property was
listened to with marked attention At
the conclusion the senator spoke feel
ingly of his high regard for the state
university and of the great possibilities
of its students.