Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-16
An American Precedent for England
and Germany.

The attitude of our government to-
ward the European invaders on the
Venezuelan coast indicates definite
understanding with England and Ger
many. The exact character of the I'M
derstanding is matter of unofficial re-
port only. We may assume for present
purposes that assurances have been
given by one or both of the govern
ments now undertaking to coerce Ven
ezuela that in no event will their opera
tons in that quarter proceed to the per-
manent acquisition of South American
territory, continental or insular.
Up to that point, namely, the at
tempted or contemplated acquisition of
territory. the Monroe doctrine is not
concerned with the situation in Ven
ezuela. In resorting to drastic methods
for the collection of just debts from a
rertinaciously eyasiye delinquent, or
for the protection of German or British
subjects in their international rights,
the two governments are doing what
we ourselves should do under similar
circumstances. Indeed, they are doing
what the United States government has
done in South America.
The first annual message of President
Buchanan, in 1857, recited certain
claims and complaints which this gov
crnment had against the republic of
Paraguay, or, rather, against the
dictator, F'rancia and his successor,
Lopez. Citizens of the United States
established in business in Paraguay
had been despoiled of their property
and treated in an arbitrary and insult
Ia a,,th
Lopez had refused on frivolous pretexts
to sign the treaty negotiated between
Paraguay and the United States. A
United States vessel, the Water Witch
had been fired upon from Paraguayan
fort while ascending the Parana river
On scientific and entirely peaeefui
errand. President Buchanan accord
ingly informed the congress that the
behavior of this South American repub-
lie was such as to call for demonstra-
ton of force on our part. He said in
his message:
"a demand for these purposes lsatis-
faction and redressl will be made In
firm but conciliatory spirit. This viii
the more probably be granted II the eX-
ecutive shall have authority to use
other means in the event of a refusal.
This is accordingly recommended
Congress responded with joint reso-
luton, that of June 2, 1858, authorizing
the president Ito adopt such measures
and use such force as, in his judgment,
may be necessary and advisable in the
event of refusal of just satisfaction
by the government of Paraguay" Con-
gress also made an appropriation to de-
-sxNr1 fN
Asuncion. should Mr.. Buchanan deem 1t
proper to appoint one for the adjust
ment of difficulties" with the South
American republic.
Using the power thus lawfully ac-
quired, Buchanan sent down both a
commissioner and a fleet The COM
missioner was the Hon. James B. Bow
lin, of Missouri, who had gained as
minister at Bogota some experience
with South American republics. The
fleet was a powerful one for those times.
It was energetically assembled and
equipped by Secretary Toucey. Not
less than $2S9.000 was expended by the
navy department for the purchase OF
new vessels, suitable for river service.
for this expedition. Altogether, the
squadron that Buchanan sent to the
river Platte in the fall of 1858 consisted
of nineteen war vessels. carrying 200
guns and $500 sailors and marines, UNI
der the command of the gallant old
Shubrick, whose name alone was calcu-
lated to carry terror into those waters.
The Importance of this minatory and
punitive demonstration was justified
by the results. The Paraguayan Castro
of that day had supposed that the diff
ficulty of getting at him in his capital,
q thousand miles or more up stream,
practically insured him against chas-
tisement In January, 1859. Commo-
dore Shubrick had taken his entire fleet
as far up the Parana river as Rosario,
and had assembled the rest of the way
to Asuncion on the steamer Fulton, ac-
companied by the Water Witch. Com
missioner Bowlin had not much trouble
| in bringing Dictator Lopez to terms.
President Buchanan was able to report
in his message of December, 1859:
.It affords me much satisfaction to
inform you that all difficulties with the
republic of Paraguay have been sat
isfactorily adjusted. 1t happily did not
! become necessary to employ the force
| for this purpose which congress had
| placed at my command under the joint
resolution of the I'd of June, 1858. On
| the contrary, the president of the re-
| public, in a friendly spirit, acceded
promptly to the just and reasonable de-
mands of the government of the United
States. Our commission arrived in
/ Asuncion on the 25th Of January 1853
and left it on the 17th of February
having in three weeks ably and success
fully accomplished all the objects of his
mission"
! 1t will be observed that the circum-
stances that Lopez judiciously came
/ down, as Castro had better come down.
at the invitation of this exhibit of over
whelming naval power, does not ef1tct
the character of the method as employ
ed to bring Paraguay to terms. 1t was
Shubrick, and not Commissioner Bow
] lin, as the president politely put it af-
terward, who Sin three weeks ably and
successfully accomplished all the OBJ
iects of his mission Congress en-
| noWered Buchanan to use force If nee
essary. Shubrick went out prepared te
use force. He might have seized Lo-
pez's war vessels If Lopez had possessed
any: he might have landed troops an6
/ taken possession of Lopez's custom
lhouses. if that had been necessary; he
might have captured Lopez himself ane
held him prisoner; in short, he coult
have proceeded under the power be-