Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-08
ASIA AND THE "M,KINLEY
DOCTRINE"

| We have several times had occasion
to advert to the lamentable case OF
Hon. John Barrett (Mr. Cleveland's
Minister to Stamp, who. while in the
East. contracted the talk-habit. which,
| coupled with a job-lcss condition, has
set Mr.. Barrett TO posing as an author
ity on Eastern questions and whoop-
ing it up for McKinleyism at a. stipu-
lated price per whoop.
Mr.. Barrett leads Off the current
number of the North American Review
with paper on Americas Duty in
China" which is quite entitled to the
distinction of touching u lower depth
of nonsense and bathos than any of it's
nowise mean competitors. The great
central thought that warns and thrills
throughout this amazing composition
is, that the Monroe Doctrine. under the
name of the Mckinley Doctrine" is
to be extended to all of Asia and re-
spect for it enforced us respect has
been maintained for the Monroe Doc
trine in it's application to America.
In other words, the United States is
to go security for the good behavior of
the two largest continents of the world
and is to gratutousiy undertake, by
force of arms if need be, to maintain
their territorial integrity as it now
exists. With this PREDATORY statement
let us proceed TO note n few gems from
Barrett:
America Is the logical arbiter of
| China'S fate; the fate of the Empire
depends upon the favor of the Re-
public"
I'VE are fortunate in the past
| achievements of the State Depart
| ment; we therefore have confidence for
| the future. President Mckinley and
| Secretary Hay have won the conf
| dcnce of the European Powers and ia
pan, and the lasting gratitude of
| China. in the policies they have pro-
mulgated previous to the present rev
| olution.'
I'VE have a Monroe Doctrine In
America: shall we not have a McKin-
| ley Doctrine in Asia? This is said In
all seriousness and without a sugges-
ton of political bias"
shall not the Mckinley Doctrine
mean that America shall stand with
all its strength for the Open Door in
| China?"
THE Mckinley Doctrine in the Pa
cific and China may provide the sinews
of war to defend the Monroe Doctrine
| In the Americas"
Is that not enough. and more than
enough, to show that Mr.. Barrett is
the first and most facilc of our new
| breed OF royal boot-licks? How does
America happen TO be the arbiter of
China's fate? What are the magnif-
cent achievements of the State De-
partment" that swell the bosom OF
Barrett In the contemplation? Even
| the New York Sun. raising its hands
in protest and despair. exclaimed only
two days ago: Samoa, Nicaragua Ca
nal. Alaska-a few more such victories
and we are undone." If Mckinley and
Hay have the confidence of the Powers.
why did part of them refuse to join
in the movement on Pekn? BY what
policies has the Administration won
the lasting gratitude of China?"
The suggestion OF Mr.. Barrett that
we shall have a Mckinley Doctrine for
Asiatic use is not entirely new. 1t has
not before been put forward so prom
inently. however. 1t takes easy prima-
cy over all the vagaries of this sea-
son of vagaries. The Mckinley Doc
trinc may provide the sinews of war
to defend the Monroe Doctrine" ex-
claims Mr.. Barrett in a burst OF pro-
phetlc rapture. So far. the Mckinley
Doctrine has cost the country a dollar
for every cent that it has brought in.
But what are facts in the presence of
rapture ard n desire for a job?