The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-12-29
OUR REsPONsIBYLITIES IN SOUTH
AND CENTRAL AMERICA.
Letter From tho Former Minister Of tho
United states to v~snezuela.

United states TO venezueia.
To THE EpIToR or THE SUN-Sir: The
time draws nigh when tho United States
will AVE to come to q choice between q
vigorous enforcement OF the Monroe
Doctrine and its total abandonment.
Which shall II bef
II we elect to enforce Il, grave RESPONSE
bilities will follow. We shall stand morally
obligated before the civilized world to
establish and maintain something like
political order In certain portions Of Central
and South America. The time Is past
whom the fairest and most productive
regions Of the continent can be given over
TO organized anarchy. rapine and murder.
There will have to be some security to
life and property; some means devised for
utilizing those rich and beautiful countries
In the worlds commerce. Tho faithful
discharge Of this obligation will lead TO
protectorates and suzerainties-conditions
Unforeseen and unprovided for by the franz
srs Of our Constitution.
II. on the other hand, we decide to aban-
don the Monroe Doctrine. or 80 much OF
IL as relates to non-interpo sition by Europe
In the political affairs of this continent. a
still more serious problem will confront US.
We bHau tNCI L2Ce eONhctiuhB ihcio shh q
long -oherished sentiment, lose something
more than national prestige. give up some-
thing more than mere consistency. In
less than q dozen years h lsthmus and
the Caribbean coasts would be practically
under European control; wha would then
become Of our already meagre South Amer
loan trade? More important still.
would be the fate Of our long-cherished
scheme Of an i~nteroceanio ship canal under
American control?
These questions suggest their only
rational answer. We should not only have
to surrender to Europe the only distinct
lively American sea Oh the globe; not only
submit to "a joint partnership control
OF the isthmian transit; not only be forced
by circumstances into "entangling Eu-
ropean alliances" against which Washing
ton and Monroe so repeatedly and solemnly
warned US. but we should have powerful
commercial rivals. and always possible
enemies, potent for mischief. at our very
doors.
The only visible escape from these alter
native evils lies through the prompt and
decisive action Of our Latin-Anierican
friends themselves. II they could manage
to get on the practical side of life, stop
their internecine strife, form a Government
adapted TO their civilization and wants-a
Government hat would insure order and
tranquility at home and command respect
a~broad-and take up their line Of march
in the column OF modern progress, the dan
ger would at once disappear. Otherwise
their organized anarchies, by courtesy
called republics, will as certainly cause the
loss Of their political autonomy as that
effect follows cause. ] claim the privileges
Of a friend to speak plainly-to give them
timely warning OF an impending danger.
Like q great many Of our own people
they seem 10 have some very hazy notions
about the Monroe Doctrine. They seem
to think il may be successfully invoked by
them In all controversies with European
powers; that it may be pleaded in bar to
any legitimate method Of enforcing a legiti-
mate international obligation; that it stands
as a convenient barrier between a creditor
and a debtor nation whenever tho latter
happens to be a American State: and
that, by il. the United States are bound to
stay execution Of a demand for satisfac-
ton for a tort, whenever the d~emandant
happens to he a European m~onarchical
power. II that were true, then the sooner
lnt DIlnllliAtr va wv ciAic
were relegated to the dust heaps Of semi
barbarous ages the better.
What, then. is the Monroe Doctrine. and
what is il not? A careful reading OF our
State papers, beginning with W~ashington's
Farewell Address and ending with Presi-
dent Roosevelt's late annual message to
Congress. ought, 1t seems TO me-. 20 dispel
all doubts both a. 10 it's origin and mean
ing. The whole Of IL nay be condensed
into three short sentences, namely,
/ No participation by the United States
in the political Affairs Of Europe. and no
interposition by Europe In the political
Affairs Of the American republics.
? No moro European colonies on this
continent. hut those already established
not to he iuterfercd with And.
No territorial expansion 81 existing
European colonies. OF extension 81 European
political systems on this hemisphere.
That IL all there Is u Il II never con-
templatcd any Interference with vested fu-
rupean Hghts on this continent, tut there Are
not, Ior nave b-u since is2?, any warrant
lAndr' on THE continent Opou 90 LuroItaL
colonization IL never contemplated ~
t~.ryrntion by the luited statos to pre-
vent Iur0pan Governments from loo a.
mai.ly rnfprc.ng kgltmAt" iht"fuaiiu.lal
~ohligatluu- against al Amrrlcan inv state
fur International responsibility s th' con-
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sgrh obligations. furpIaan nati"ts may
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