New-York tribune., 1902-12-23

OF single instance cf drastic discipline will be
most salutary
There will be less prejudice in Europe against
the Monroe Doctrine after a practical demon
stration that i is not screen for political de-
moralization and repIdiation of financial obli-
cations. and that the United States Govern
fnent while protecting sister republics against
the liabilities Of foreign invasion. colonization
and conquest. is not prepared to license anarchy
ana breaches Of the Eighth Commandment on
the part Of defaulting States The Southern
nations themselves will be impressed with the
moral force of the Monroe principle when they
learn that, while they have no reason to dread
foreign conquest long as a protecting arm is
outstretched from Washington, they are under
opilgauons to pay their just debts and to main
tam peace and order and subject to police
supervision and TO coercive measures If they
neglect to do They have profted by the
silent operation of the Monroe Doctrine for a
period of eighty years. during which no Euro
pean State-MeXico during the American Civil
War being the only exception-has either altered
their frontiers invaded their territories; yet
they have taken to themselves all the credit for
this exemption from European colonization.
which was in progress in Asia, Africa and the
ability to resist foreign attack or encroachment
without material aid moral support from the
great commonwealth in the North They have
attributed their independence to their civic Writ
ues and their material progress, to their own
enterprise and skill in attracting European in
vestments. The Venezuela affair presents the
Monroe Doctrine in a negative way. and this
may be more impressive than It's positive ad
vantages. which they have persistently over
looked and disregarded. 1t enforces the moral
that the United States does not guarantee pro-
financial dishonor.
If Americans. preoccupied with the develop
ment of their industrial resources, have
been content with remaining idle spectators dec
ade after decade, while England, Germany and
France were landing money freely to Brazil
and the Spanish-American States, and con-
verting them into commercial dependencies. they
exerting a wholesome moral influence
in abstaining from interference with coercive
measures of discipline and restraint. The two
Venezuela affairs easily differentiated in
principle. One involved an enlargement of Brit
ish claims. decade after decade. to territories
toward the Orinoco and the weak State had the
powerful assistance of the United States in OBJ
tanning a settlement by arbitration The other
is grounded upon the equitable claims of for
eign investors to redress for defaults in prin-
cipal and interest, and for damage and loss
caused by civil war; and the Caracas govern
ment can count upon having the good offices
of the State Department If 1t consents TO liqui-
date its just Indebtedness and to bring about a
of normal conditions of peace and
public order. The Monroe Doctrine is shield
for sturdy independence and patriotic love of
the home SOIL but not for national dishonesty
and political turbulence. The new Venezuela
affair. troublesome as it may prove If it be
to supplement the naval blockade
with q military expedition to Caracas, may
promote the ends of peace and mo-
rality in the Southern countries, which have
imperfectly assimilated democratic institutions
and have been dominated by a mischievons
militarism and by irresponsible political cabals:
and the United States. by its inaction, which is
doubly conspicuous after its excessive zeal seven
years ago. Will be most helpful in organizing
and directing the moral force Of public opinion,
upon which the practical efficiency of republi-
,an principles depends in Spanish America.
L N.F.