The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-27
A Victory for Good Sense.

While in a, Sense American diplomacy
has won ''another great victory over the
powers of the old world as dispatch
from Washington has it, it, is in better
taste to say that two great nations and
one small nation through the mediation
of the United States have had the good
sense to cease clustering and "foollng'
and get down to calm, dignified method
of settling an internationl dispute by
referring it to an internationl court
The so-caIled victory for American di-
plonacy consists, first, in securing the
consent of Germany and England to ar
bitrate, after they had really begun a
war, and, second, in having the dispute
arbitrated by The Hague court. England
and Germany were naturally reluctant to
resort to peaceful arbitration after they
had appealed to the arbitrament of force.
It puts them in the position Of having
proceeded in an improper order, Of hav-
ing done first what should have been re-
served to the last. s<,-@. f. ~ .s8,,....s
In persuading the powers to refer the
case to The Hague instead Of to President
Roosevelt our government has not only
secured the distinct advantage of not
being forced into position as authorita-
tive Judge Of Venezuela's financial dis
putes, but 1t has achieved a peaceful vic
tory for the benefit of all the world It
has made it possible for The Hague court
to enter upon its high mission. 1t has
been the means Of bringing about the
settlement by this court Of a very import
ant and very grave International dispute,
and has thereby been powerfully instru-
mentalsin creating a precedent that can
not fail to have a profound effect on the
| future of the world. We have not seen
+ the last of the wars, by any means, but
] when the nations acquire the habit Of re-
! sorting to The Hague tribunal wars be-
! tween civilized nations over trivial mat
| tiers will be avoided; and even some major
disputes will be thus disposed of.
In our opinion the success of the gov
] eminent in securing the reference of the
/ Venezuelan question to The Hague court
i has gained us every advantage as a pro.
! .tector Of other American nations thai
i naight have been gained by direct arbitra.
ton. by President Roosevelt without any
of the disadvantages direct arbitration
4 might have entailed. To Venezuela thu
United States can not appear in any othe
light than as powerful friend, who ha.
/ interviewed to save the little republic from
i the fury Of two mighty nations. All Soutl
i America will see that the Monroe Doctrin,
l is more vital than ever, and that tn,
United States stands behind it as frml.
as ever. Moreover, through the recogni
ton of the American republic as tn.
guardian sof this continent involved in thu
s. carrying on Of negotiations between
4 Washington and London and Berlin re
garding the Venezuelan question. the in
& ternational position Of the United State
as such a guardian becomes stronger thai
, lever. One more bulwark is erected 70
| the protection Of the Americas. We've
u from the standpoint Of European powers
Z becomes more evident than ever that tn
Monroe Doctrine is as much a part of set
b tied American policy as the preservation
t Eof the independence of the republic Itself
f Congratu iations are due to England N
5 Germany because they had the good grac
:. to make good ending Of a very ingloriou
/ piece ssof inter- ional business. The
) may not exactly save their faces b
s marching down from the hill they had $
8 militantly climbed, but they have don
: