The evening times., 1899-08-11
FRIDAY. AUGUST IL. 1899.
The south American Alliance.

President Roca, Of Argentina, is SWING
ing around the circle of Brazil and Chile.
and il is said that his mission is 10 form
triple alliance OF the three South American
countries mentioned against the United
States. We do not know whether there
is truth or not in the repeated stories thar
such a scheme is on the tapis If it be true
we are compelled TO suspect that Eu-
ropean influence is behind the proposition.
Why South American States should wish
10 form a combination against this country.
on account Of any present or possible men
ace that the United States might be TO
their integrity or interests is quite past
comprehension. We have protected them
from European interference in their in
ternal affairs. We have aided them. in one
way or another, TO relieve themselves OF
monarchical or colonial government and 10
become independent republics. Today. the
fact that our Government is recognized
an the monitor and high sheriff OF the
Western Hemisphere saves them from the
danger of conquest or oppression by the
powers of the Old World.
What can be the reason, then, why Ar
gentina, Brazil, and Chile should wish to
effect coalition inimical TO US? The Mon
roe doctrine has been their sword and
buckler in the past. Is that the thing OF
which they wish to be rid? Do they grudge
us the vitally necessary development of our
scientific frontier in the Antilles? Do they
resent the fact that, some day, after We
manage to crush reasonable self interest
at home, We are going to build and control
the Nicaragua Canal?
All these questions can be answered in
the negative, as far as any opposing senti-
ment, ambition or material interest in
trinsically exists in South America. Some
cause other than local, then, must be at
the bottom of the movement, if there is
such an one. Assuming that there is, the
suspicion is inevitable that it has Euro
pean basis. We are chary about thinking
i'll of our great neighbors across the At
lantic, bet il must I've confessed that they
have not all or always eyinced the pure
spirit of altruism toward the United States.
German opinion. for example, was distinct
ly against us in the Spanish war. The
press and public of France were decidedly
pro-Spanish. Austria did not conceal its
hope that foreign interference would crush
US. Excepting Russia, We did not see q
Continental nation that was not more OF
less openly unfriendly. What one OF these
not enemies, but, in the past, unfriends-
has an active interest in destroying OF
minimizing our influence and position in
South America? What one or more OF
them would see a national advantage in
arraying benehciaries of the Monroe doc
trine against its great proponent and ex-
pounder?
We are very much afraid that most peo-
pie who have kept run of international
politics for the past few years would
answer, Germany! German interests il
Argentina are large and growing. The de-
sire of the Kaiser's Government for colon
ial expansion is intense. Already there are
so many Teutons in the South American
State presided over by General Roca thai
Emperor Wilhelm may think that German:
in Argentina would take good care thai
no aggressive or hostile policy should be
pursued toward Germany" On more than
one occasion he has been credited with re-
marks derogatory of the Monroe doctrine
and indicating an inclination to consider
it ultra wires if not offensive TO Euro
pean views.
is Roca, then, possibly playing the cats
paw for some oversee pOtentate? Is g
South American alliance intended as the
entering wedge for an alliance of the Ho1
and lamb sort between the proposed trip
lets and man with a double eaglec
crown?