New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-19
A UNION AGAINST DESPOTISM.
WHAT ONE CORRESPONDENT THINKS IS
THE COURSE MARKED OUT FOR ENG
LAND AND THE UNITED STATES

THE COURSE MARKED OUT FOR ENG
LAND AND THE UNITED STATES.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: As Canadian I deeply interested IN
the Cuban question not only out OF natural SYM
pathy with the United States as our next-ooor
neghbors OF the race. with institutions essen
TALLY similar to cur own. but also because
beeve that sooner or later. the war VIII result IN
more or less serious complications WIN EUROPE,
because Cuba is the key to the Caribbean Sea, anu
will command one OF the great highways OIL tho
nations across the world when canai Is cut
through 10 the Pacific. The arbitrary European
nations therefore. will be very reluctant 10 a'ow
Cuba to fall absolutely under the controi OF Inc
Powers that stand for freedom and may challenge
the Monroe Doctrine. II the schemes OF 1eH-
ACKNOWLEDGMENT that they appear TO nave IN con
temptation are sufficiently advanced to warrant
them in trying out the issue they may. perhaps
Unless we form combination strong enough 10
bluff them down, bring on the general european
war that has been so long threatening
In that case we should have 10 stand shoulder 10
shoulder with you In defence OF our common inter-
ests think II is therefore desirable that'
while there is yet time. every effort shouio DO
made 10 secure absolute unanimty on the subject
between u.s. so as X possible. by presenting ooid
and united 'front.' TO avoid the necessity Tor moro
serious action 1t is with this object that pro-
pose to set out what consider TO be inc most au-
yanced Canadian view on the SuDJect'
The famous Monroe Doctrine. as Is well KNOWN
was suggested TO tho United states by Canning. the
British Minister OF tho day. to counterfeit ana
checkmate tho combination among the arpiraiy
nations OF Europe known as tho Holy Aihahce'
formed. half with political and half with so-caied
religious motives, for the purpose OF checking inc
spread Of free representative institutions as Gan
gerous to arbitrary and despotic power. and In
tended as a special menace to tho United States by
It's proposal reconquer the revolted colonies OF
European Powers In South America
The Monroe Doctrine is popularity supposed to DO
that the United States should keep out OF tho en-
tangements OF European politics and keep Europe
from interfering in America. This has been tho
practical application OF 1t in tho past. so far as
America Is concerned but tho real essence OF inc
doctrine Is as take It. much wider. VIZ TO roster
and maintain free representative institutions on tho
earth. and prevent the arbitrary nations Of Europe
from overrunnlng weak countries and imposing
their tyrann!cal systems upon them and thus be-
como predominant Canadians. therefore. arc as
deeply interested in its maintenance as tho United
States.
PLAYING THE SAME GAME
England and tho United States. standing as they
DO for substantially the same principles. have al
WAYS been compelled in their own interest TO act In
concert in this respect the by maintaining tho
Monroe Doctrine and the other by preserving tho
balance OF power In Europe. But II was all tho
same game they were playing. 1t was only be-
cause II was more diplomatic and looked better be-
fore the world and appealed more forcibly to her
own people that the United States charged herself
with tho enforcement OF the common principle
under tho name OF the Monroe Doctrine in the
New World as especially essen,ia! TO her own
safety while England concerned herself in promot
Ing the same principle. by maintaining the balance
Of power In Europe and bringing as much as posi-
BILE OF the earth unde. her influence. Stimulated
os nd
In tho colonies. and taking to heart the
lesson which the United States Rebellion had
taught her. she set about forming such portions or
her empire were ripe for 1t. as rapidly as posi-
bic, into similar united States all round the
world. called by somewhat different names II is
true but substantially and essentially tho same. OF
which Canada Is the most conspicuous example
Thus when We get behind the scenes. We per-
ceive that England and the United States In spite
Of their chickering's and Jeaousies. have been prac-
tically cooperating for q common end. So long
as England was able to hold tho balance Of power
in Europe all was well. and tho United states
could rest secure.
But tho balance Of power IN Europe has been
seriously disturbed as recent events in Turkey
Asia and Africa bear mournful testimony. Mr..
Gladstone says that the so-called European Con-
cert" Is nothing moro than the revival. under an
other name. OF the old. detested Holy Alliance
and tho result is tho union Of practically all Cont
mental nations against an isolated England animal
ed apparently with tho desire to seize and hold for
themselves exclusively China and Africa, and. II
possible crush Britain and tho "Nascent Com
monweaths'' she has planted round tho world Tho
object Is to substitute their arbitrary systems for
her free institutions. and thus become the pre-
dominating Powers tho earth. No doubt they
hoped that tho United States, blinded by tho old
tealousies Of tho past would not perceive that her
ultimate salvation indissolubly bound up with
that Of England. until It too late to check
mate the game and save herself.
Fortunately. however. for tho world. IN this
crisis. not only the sentimental Instincts. but the
material interests Of the United States in such a
struggle, identical with those OF England. Tho
people OF tho United States arc beginning rapidly
10 perceive that should this dastardly conspiracy
against England by any chance prove successful.
the turn Of the United States for similar treatment
would come next British supremacy once de-
stroyed. and tho arbitrary principles of Europe hav
Ing become predominant throughout tho earth, Il II
morally certain that. whatever their professions.
this selfish European ring. founded In tyranny and
supported by militarism would by the application
Of their exclusive policy keep all tho best markets
Of tho world to themselves. They would shut tho
United States up in America. and probably seize
South America. as tho German Emperor has afore-
time threatened: even II they did not. there
would be the gravest reasons to fear. eventually
overrun and destroy the free institutions of North
America as well
THE ONLY ADEQUATE ANSWER
30 far a. We Canadians can see. the only ade-
Quats answer to this challenge thus mado is for
the United Statea unite openly with Great