The sun., 1902-03-02


to Aug. 2,.iso7, whom NAPoLxoN had him
self elected as Consul for life with power
TO name his successor
Again, on April 20, 1s4s, President POLK
sent a special message to Congress with
regard to Yucatan. We were at war
with Mexico. The white inhabitants
Of Yucatan, fearing the consequences
Of an Indian insurrection, urged the
United States through their Commits
sioner, JUsTo SIERRA. to aid them and
also to accept the dominion and sover-
eighty Of the peninsula.
While the United States could not
assume sovereignty over Yucatan,
President POLK distinctly notified the
world that transfer to any European
power would not be permitted by this
Government. After quoting President
MoNRoEs language. and Mr.. PoLK's
own reassertion Of the doctrine in a
former message, the President said
Our own security requires that the estab-
nshed policy thus announced should guide our
conduct and this applies with great force TO the
peninsula Of Yucatan II Is situate In the Gulf Of
Mexico. on the North American continent: and
from It's vicinity to Cuba TO the Capes of Florida.
to New Orleans. and indeed to our whole South
western coast It would be dangerous to our peace
and security n 1t should become . colony OF any
European nation.
we now have authentic information that II the
aid asked BY the United States be not granted.
such aid will probably bo obtained from some
European power. which may hereafter assert q claim
20 dominion and sovereignty over Yuoatan.
Il submit 10 the wisdom OF Congress to adopt
such measures as. In their judgment. may bs eI-
pedien, to prevent Yucstsn from becoming colony
of any European po,O~. rhieh, IN no ~sn could b
permitted oy ne Unusd sfafss.-
That was notice to all Europe. It
will be observed that France is not ex-
cepted. Yet ut that very date France
was republic. The monarchy had been
overthrown. the King had abdicated,
and the Second Republic had been es-
tablished when President POLK re-
asserted the Monroe Doctrine as against
the proposed transfer Of Yucatan to any
European power.
France has been both monarchical
and republican at times before and since
the Monroe Doctrine was declared.
Does anybody suppose that II a republic
had existed in France in 1923, that par
ticular European power would have
been excepted We do not.
II all the powers Of Europe should
next year become republican in their
form of government, does anybody
suppose that the Monroe Doctrine would
accordingly become useless, and be
eliminated from American pohcyf That
is not our understanding
Japan does not in strict technicality
come under the Monroe Doctrine. for
she is not a European but an Asiatic
power. Does anybody dream that II
there should be a proposal to transfer
Vancouver Island from British to jap
anese sovereignty, the Monroe Doctrine
would on that account be regarded by
the people and Government Of the United
States as inapplicable? We do not.
To answer directly the question OF
our esteemed correspondent, we have
no doubt that in case Of an attempt by
republican France to acquire peace
fully Hayti and San Domingo, for ex-
ample, the Monroe Doctrine would be
asserted by the United States in the
promptest and most friendly manner.