The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-26
ANOTHER APPEAL TO ALLIES,
ROOSEVELT WANTS THEN TO GO
BEFORE THE HAGUE COURT.

Notes Sent 70 Germany. England and Italy
Urging the Adoption Of the Presidents
Plan for Arbitration OF the Venezuelan
Dispute-He Doesn't Want TO Serve,
WASHINGTON. Dec. 25.-The President
has not determined whether to accept or
decline the request Of Germany, England
and Italy that he serve as arbitrator Of the
Venezuelan dispute. In view OF the virtual
assurances of the allies in their formal
invitation to him that they are not I'M
friendly to the Presidents suggestion that
the case be referred to The Hague tribunal
correspondence with them on this phase
Of the negotiations has been reopened by
Secretary Hay. who il, OF course, acting
under the Presidents directions. Mr..
Roosevelt has not neglected the opportunity
offered to him Of again urging a reference
to the permanent court of arbitration and
cable messages Of instructions to make
representations Of that character were
sent to-day by Mr.. Hay to the American
embassies in London. Berlin and Rome.
The reticence Of the Government authori-
ties on the subject OF arbitration of the
Venezuelan affairs continues. No official
statement was obtainable to-day. barring
the mere announcement that the President
had not reached q conclusion as to the
request OF the European partners. This
followed brief conference at the White
House this morning between the President
and Secretary Hay.
In the opinion Of the Administration the
great danger OF the present situation lies
In the increasing chance, with every days
delay in settlement. that something may
occur which will compel the United States
Government to define more clearly the
scope Of the policy and rights which it as
eumes under the Monroe Doctrine. No
doubt is felt at the White House that the
time is rapidly approaching when this def
milton must be given. and. once formally
made known. be adhered to by the United
States There have been indications re-
Gently that certain European nations were
chatting over the failure Of this Government
to explain more explicitly the extent Of the
protection which it assumes over the re-
publics Of Latin America.
The argument Of these nations IL best
expressed in the question: How ia 1t pos
sible for the United States to hold that
Latin American countries are independent
sovereiynties, when 1t forbids them to alien
ate territory to non-American countries?
That the United States. should the occa-
sion arise, would construe the sale OF any
part of the territory OF their southern
neighbors to a European nation as viola
tion of the Monroe Doctrine. Is settled.
Europe. however, regards this as incon-
sstent with the claims that Venezuela,
for example. must bear entire response
bility for acts committed against the persons
or property Of foreigners. Some Of the
Continental Governments profess to be
unable to gee how the United States can
refuse to be responsible for the redress
demanded of Venezuela. so long as the
United States limits the efforts to secure
that redress to mild coercion. The only
means OF obtaining satisfaction from a
bankrupt nation for unpaid claims and the
cost OF the coercion measures lie. II IL
argued, in the seizure and holding Of terri
tory. How then. Europe assumes, can the
United States Government regard itself
as in no wise responsible for what Vene-
z,iela has done when 1t refuses to permit
ere litor nations to obtain the only certain,
substantial redress possible?
The advance notice of Germany to the
United States OF what 1t purposed to do in
Venezuela has been regarded in some
quarters as a move in the direction Of Sc
curing a more specific definition of the
scope of the Monroe Doctrine. II that
was Germany's purpose 1t was in a measure
successful granted that what the President
had to say on the subject in his annual
message of Dec. 3, 1901 was based on knowl-
edge of what would be said by the German
Ambassador in the memorandum handed
to Secretary Hay eight days later. In which
the Imperial Government disclosed its pur-
poses toward Venezuela. In his message
Mr.. Roosevelt said: we do not guarantee
any State (meaning any independent Ameri-
can nation) against punishment II 1t miscon-
ducts itself. provided punishment does not
take the form Of the acquisition OF territory
by any nom american Power"
The President thus made known that he
adhered to the policy Of his predecessors.
that the Monroe Doctrine did not require
the United States to hold sheltering arms
over Latin American countries when
on-American nations undertook to punish
them for breaches OF international faith, 80
long as there was no danger to the terri
torial integrity Of the offending American
Governments.
For some time past the Government has
been concerned over the menace to its own
disturbances in some countries Of Latin
America. Last summer when there was
trouble In Venezuela. Colombia. Hayti
and Santo Domingo and an abortive in
vasion Of Nicaragua. the President and his
advisers were indignant that this sort Of
thing should continue with the ever present
danger that Europeans might be injured
and a crisis such as that which has Grown
out OF the Venezuelan affair might be pro-
duced.
The effect upon the United States Of
these revolutionary outbreaks was the for
nation of the Caribbean naval division
under Rear Admiral Coghlan who has
standing instructions to despatch vessels
TO every point In the West Indies, Central
America and South America under his
Jurisdiction where foreign interests are men,
aced. It is hoped by this means to avert