Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-08-24
his protection the imperial govern


ment will give. Since Germany's ac-
ton Is wholly non-political and mere
ly protective Of business interests, the
Post believes that the United States
government can find nothing objec-
tionable in Germany's course.
In intervening for the protection Of
the lives and property Of American
citizens, the United States government
would exercise a right which 1t shares
in common with every other power
whose subjects have interests in Col
ombia. BY treaty with New Granada,
which Is binding upon Colombia. the
United States has additional rights
which no other power possesses, in
the matter of protecting railroad traf-
fic on the Isthmus of Panama. That
treaty was concluded on December IL,
1916, and gives to the United States
the right to guarantee the perfect neu-
trality of the Isthmus in order that
free transit may not be interrupted.
The people Of Colombia may engage
in revolutionary enterprises and
change their government as often as
they please. That is no concern Of the
United States. and 1t has no right to
prevent the Colombians from exercis-
ing the inalienable privilege Of start
ing revolutions and upsetting govern
ments The treaty. however in the view
Of American statesmen, imposes upon
this government the duty Of protecting
the Isthmus from foreign invasion, in
order that free transit may not be in
terrupted. In the event that Colombia,
by reason of domestic disturbances, Is
not able to keep the route open. the
United States is authorized to inter-
vene with force for that purpose. 1t
has been alleged that the president Of
Venezuela intends to make war on COL
ombia and seize the Isthmus Of Pana-
ma. Under the treaty with New Gran
ada, the United States government, 1t
is claimed, would be bound to inter-
vene to protect the Isthmus from an
invasion by Venezuela. European
powers would have no right to inter-
vene If such a contingency should
arise. Interference by these powers
with the affairs Of South American
states would be viewed with grave
concern by the United States govern
ment and would doubtless be made the
subject Of vigorous diplomatic repre-
sentations.
It seems to be the belief Of a large
number Of Americans that the United
States ought to exercise a general po-
lice power over South America, and
that whenever a disturbance occurs In
that part of the world 1t Is the duty Of
the Washington government to assert
it's authority. That is a mischievous
idea. With the domestic affairs Of
South American countries the United
States has no more to do with than
the affairs Of the Balkan states. AS
long as the lives Of American citizens
are not imperiled, or their property
interests are not threatened, 1t Is the
duty Of the United States to hold
aloof. 1t has no police jurisdiction in
South or Central America except such
rs it may have acquired over the 18TH
mus Of Panama through the treaty
with New Granada. 1t has no privi-
leges with this exception, which Euro
pean countries do not share in COM
mon with this country. The Monroe
doctrine gives us no police power. It
Is simply a declaration Of American
policy, in which Europe Is warned that
interference with the political insti-
tutions Of South America for purposes
Of political and territorial aggrandize-
ment would be regarded as a menace
to American interests. That doctrine
Is not now seriously challenged by Eu-
rope. When 1t Is disputed by any overt
act Of aggression the United States
will doubtless take such action as the
circumstances warrant. There Is no
reason for alarm over the presence Of
French cruiser at Colon, or the pos
sibility that a German warship may be
sent there. Both countries are acting
strictly within their rights.-Baltimore
Sun.