The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-12
An American Precedent for England
and Germany.


The attitude of our Government tow
ard the European invaders on the Ven
ezuelan coast indicates a definite under
standing with England and Germany.
The exact character of the understand
ing is a matter of unofficial report only.
We may assume for present purposes
that assurances have been given by one
or both of the Governments now under
taking to coerce Venezuela that in no
event will their operations in that quar-
ter proceed to the permanent acquisition
of South American territory, continental
or insular.
Up to that point. namely, the at
tempted or contemplated acquisition of
territory, the Monroe Doctrine is not
concerned with the situation in Ven
ezuela. In resortng to drastic methods
for the collection of just debts from a
pertinaciously evasive delinquent, or
for the protection of German or British
subjects in their international rights.
the two Governments are doing what
we ourselves should do under similar
circumstances. Indeed, they are doing
what the United States Government has
done in South America.
The first annual message Of President
BUCHANAN, in 1857, recited certain claims
and complaints which this Government
had against the Republic of Paraguay,
or, rather. against the Dictator FRANCIA
and his successor. LOPEZ. Citizens of
the United States established in business
in Paraguay had been despoiled of their
property and treated in an arbitrary and
insulting manner by the local authori-
ties. LOPEZ had refused on frivolous
pretexts to sign the treaty negotiated
between Paraguay and the United
States. A United States vessel. tho
Water Witch, had been fired upon from
a Parag,Iayan fort while ascending the
Parana River on a scientific and entirely
peaceful errand President BUCHANAN
accordingly informed the Congress that
the behavior of this South American
republic was such as TO cal for demon
stration of force on our part He said
in his message
demand for thcS" purposes Satisfaction and
redress VIII be made In a Arm but concilia,ory
spirit. THIS will the more probably be granted II
the Executive shall have authority to use other
means in the even, OF refusal. This Is accord
| ingy recommended
Congress responded with joint reso-
luton. that Of June 2, 1858, authorizing
the President to adopt such measures
and use such force as, in his judgment
may be necessary and advisable in the
event Of a refusal of just satisfaction
by the Government Of Paraguay. Con-
gress also made an appropriation to de-
fray the expenses Of commission to
Asuncion, should Mr.. BUCHANAN deem il
proper to appoint one for the adjust
ment Of difficulties with the South
American republic.
Using the power thus lawfully acquired
BUCHANAN sent down both Commits.
sioner and fleet The Commissioner was
the Hon. JAMES b. BowLIN of Missouri
who had gained as Minister at Bogota
some experience with South American
republics. The fleet was powerful one
for those times, II was cncrgctically
assembled and equipped by Secretary
| TOCCEY. Not less than $2S9,OOO wa,
expended by the Navy Department fol
the purchase of new vessels, suitable
for river service, for this expedition
Altogether, the squadron that BUCHANA,
sent to the River Plate in the fall of 1856
consisted of nineteen war vessels, carry.
ing two hundred guns and twenty-five
hundred sailors and marines, under tn,
command of the gallant old SHUBRICK
whose name alone was calculated t
carry terror into those waters.
The Importance of this minatory anC
punitive demonstration was justifet
by the results. The Paraguayan CASTRO
of that day had supposed that the diff
iiculty of getting at him in his capital
a thousand miles or more up stream
practically insured him against chastse
ment. In January, 1853, Commodore
SHUBRIcK had taken his entire fleet al