The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-25
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erect Il blockade OF the SutZ tdn1l
without entering within the zone of
neutrality. This fact, however, cannot
be regarded as an evidence of Eng
lands bad faith or cited to disproVe
her belief in the neutrality of inter
oceanic highways. The position of the
United States with islands and coal
ing stations on either side of Central
AM RIGA, would place her in somewhat
the same attitude toward the Nicara-
qua Canal.
BY following. therefore, the spirit
Of international law. by observing her
treaties. and by inviting the. nations
of the world to Join in keeping open
the canal. the United States depriveS
herself of one doubtful advantage and
at once relieves herself of a host OF
perpleXities.
With the neutrality OF the canal
guaranteed by International agreement
between the great maritime powers
there would be no need OF fortlIlca-
tions; because in the face of so power
full a combination none would dare TO
violate the freedom of the route.
American armies would not be needed
to defend its banks; American SHIPS
would not be called On to raise a
blockade or disperse threatening
squadron. The United States would
escape the many pitfalls of foreign
entanglements which the selfish poilcy
of sole political control must inevitably
place in. her path: and thus, the advo-
Gates of naturalization maintain. by
in Central America, an inexhaustlble
source of international conflict would
be avoided
In the chapter on the Monroe Doctrine
the two letters of the Salisbury
correspondence on the matter of the
Venezuela boundary line, which were OF
most Importance, are quoted nearly en-
tire. The concluding paragraphs of this
chapter. which define the authors posi-
ton on this question. are as follows:
After all is said on both sides of the
controversy there is but one point
which merits serious consideration.
That one point determines the applica-
bility of the doctrine in every case.
that is the safety of the United
States.
Self -defence is an essential princi-
pie of existence. Ii is a law of nature
that no rules of society can accurately
define Because the Monroe Doctrine
was an invocation of this great prin-
ciple of which Mr.. Monroe was in no
wise the author because it came OPP
portunely. because it was so ably ex-
pressed, because il met with enthusl-
astic approval at the time, II has lived
and obtained a permanence in Ameri-
can politics as though it were prin-
ciple purely American and of American
discovery In reality 1t is only a spe-
cial or new name for principle OF
life that is as old as the existence OF
man. The new name has supplanted
the old in the American mind. and
whenever a threat, real or fancied. has
come in the shape of aggression In the
Western Hemisphere, the United
States Government has asserted It's
right to interpose-the right of self
protection. but called instead the Mon
roe Doctrine The phrase Monroe
Doctrine has been preferred, and in
the course of three-quarters of a CEN
fury ii has wrought a weird and en-
chan Influence the American
intellect. The mind becomes i'm
bued with a vague sense of past tradi-
lions resulting in a confusion Of senti-
mental ideas which impair the powers
of discrimination. and thus the origi-
nal purpose of the Monroe Doctrine
and the defensive principles which 1t
represents are often lost sight Of In
deed. the circumstances under which
the doctrine was originally enunciated,
as well as the condition of American
political life previous to 1923. were of
nature to give Mr. Monroe's declara-
ton a peculiar Significance Fear of
European aggression in the Americas
was the particular danger that gave
the doctrine birth. The United
States was comparatively weak ma
ton. its system of government was
experimental, and il was in conflict
with the monarchical principles of Eu-
rope. and jealous Europe was feared.
The Spanish possessions were in re-
volt, and offered a tempting field for
the exploitation of European arms.
The American people were impre ssed
with the danger that lurked in every
European advance: the Monroe Doc
trine voiced the apprehension in a
manner that satisfied every American
citizen.
THE American nation is no longer
weak; its system of government is no
experiment. Absolutism in Europe
has almost disappeared, and liberal
constitutional monarchies and repub-
lies have taken its place. There is no
Holy Alliance, there is no scheme to
subvert republican forms of govern
ment, but the people OF the United
States have not yet outlived the in
herited fears of their grandfathers,
and they sill cherish the apprehen-
sions they bequeathed. They cling
to the words that proclaimed their
fears, the words which Mr. Monroe
announced. Thus today the same cry
of alarm of three generations ago is
still uttered. The Monroe Doctrine
has become a magic symbol and an
idol for national worship. Thus it
comes about in course of time. after
that doctrine has unde1gone numer-
Gus notifications, after IL has been
distorted in various ways to meet the
requirements of party politics, that 1t
has lost, to some extent, its original
meaning. The doctrine is supported
on other grounds than those of self
protection; admittedly. British occu-
patton of certain tracts of land in
Venezuela could not conceivably en-
danger the peace, safety, and Integrity
of the United States, YET the Monroe
Doctrine seemed to call for action TO
prevent such occupancy.
THE position may be maintained
with considerable force that when a
political principle obtains a sGpersti-
tious hold upon nation that compels
its blind observance regardless of con-
sequences it is time to cast it aside.
To ccnsign the Monroe Doctrine to it's
appropriate place of political signif-
canoe in history is by no means TO
deprive the American people OF self
protection. II is only to rid the mind
Of disturbing factor in the determi-
nation of foreign questionS-to leave
the judgment free to measure danger
by the exigencies of the present, and
not the remembrance of fears which
are Of the past.
THE acquisition of the Philippine
Islands necessarily opens new fields
of diplomacy to the United States Cow
eminent. To some extent at least the
older policy of political isolation must
give way to that of a more intimate
connection with foreign Powers; 1t is
therefore all the more important that
every habit of thought should be sup
pressed which prevents clear and rea-
sonable consideration of all diplomatic
questions.
There need be no apprehension lest
the people OF the United States will al
ways be alert and vatchful of their
own interests. A higher principle than
devotion to the Monroe Doctrine will
principles of an organic law
upon which the Monroe Doctrine was
founded, and OF which the Monroe
Doctrine was but single expression"
1t will be seen from these extracts that
the author strives to maintain an atti-
tude free from partisanshir and as pure
ly historical and critical as is possible in
dealing with questions of such recent and
engrossing interest to the public CNew
Ynrk Tho Macmillan
An Anonymous Autobiography.
1.-The Tribulations of a Princess" Is an
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