The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-12-16

between the three or the causes that
led up to it, we have a care for the
preservation of something hat while
intangible as it'may appear to others
possesses for us nevertheless a con
crete tangibility and for the uphold
ing Of which We have on several oc-
casions signiIed III willingness to
| fight. The doctrine promulgated by
| good old President Monroe has lost
not a whit of it's popularity since the
day it was first given to the world.
AS a matter of fact it is more popular
now than ever with us and anything
that may be construed into an infrac-
ton of it is likely to be resented
promptly and effectively.
To define with exactness and pre-
| cision that doctrine no doubt is a
task more or less difficult, especially
where so many attempt it's definition
and so many minds give it different
meaning. AS seemingly construed by
! the present national administration no
! violation of that doctrine is committed
so long as no actual and permanent oc-
| cupation of territory on American soil
not now under foreign control is at
tempted by a foreign power. Accept
ing this definition as proper and cor
rect it is apparent that though even
the Germans and British have seized
Castro's navy and by duress shall at
tempt to collect the customs payable
at the different ports of Venezuela
until their claims are paid, the Mon
roe doctrine has not been violated in
essence, no matter how we may re-
gard the spirit of the seizures and
coniscations.
1t may be we'll c%ontended that it
is not necessary for one power to
seize and hold territory belonging to
another to enable the first to exercise
over it the powers of suzerainty. With
the squadron of a nation for the mo-
ment offended at another blockading
the ports of the offending n and by
force collecting it's customs and ap-
propriating them to it's use it may
be said that the one undergoing the
humiliation is for the time being at
least a dependency of the other. Then
other complications are likely to arise
that may give the situation an even
more serious aspect. If in the present
instance Castro should carry out his
declared intention of declaring free
trade to all the nations of the world
and thereby defeat the object of the
two powers that are now menacing
him, something much more far reach
ing in it's effects may occur than any
thing as yet attempted by them. Find
ing themselves thwarted in one di.
rection they would probably seek re-
dress in another and before we knew
it the Monroe doctrine would be in
volved more seriously and dangerous
ly than ever before.
The question as it exists and the
possible future contingencies likely
to grow out of it are matters of seri-
Gus import to the people of the Unit.
ed States. Fortunately we have able
and patriotic men at the head Of our
affairs and they may be relied upon
to do that which is right and proper
| IN cnncnryn tho infnrncts material
and sentimental, of the nation. Once
before it became necessary for this
nation to call a halt when a foreign
power attempted to gain a foothold
on the territory that we have forbid
den to the powers across the sea and
it may become necessary to do it once
more. All are awaiting for the OPP
%portunity for a favorable pretext to
do that which they are told not to do.
Only an entering wedge is desired by
them to force al opening. They should
not be permitted to start that wedge.
Too much of a material interest is
at stake to allow any of the European
powers to gain dominancy over ever
the most insignificant little country
to the south. We as we'll as they
must look out for the future and
jealousy guard the field which in
time will be so valuable a one to us.
RESTRICT IMMIGRATION.