The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-08
OUR SOUTH AMERICAN COUSINS.
They May Need a Little Discipline
from Uncle Sam.
New York Financiar

New York Financier.
The diplomatic history Of the United
States will probably continue to be
sprinkled with incidents similar to that
which al present is occupying such a large
portion of the public prints. Venezuela
cannot pose as martyr before the world,
for VIGOROUSLY she has not shown that
high sense of honor expected of nations
which incur financial obligations from
friendly powers. but f. all that the United
States cannot permit her to be wiped off
the map. The Monroe doctrine however,
no matter how literally il may be inter-
preted, does not condone financial dishon-
esty. 1t premises just discharge of OBJ
legations to begin with, and stands for the
protection of the weak against the strong
only in the sense that American republics
shall be left alone to work out their own
destiny. Unfortunately the destiny of sew
eral Of these South American states seems
to be SO entangled. beween private greed
and public indifference thereto, that our
European neighbors are in a measure Jus.
titled in taking an extreme course in col
lecting claims long overdue. But when one
nation assumes the role of debt collector
as against another, about the only asset Of
consequence which 1t can levy upon is the
territory Of the debtor, and that, in case
Of the South American republics, is some
thing that the United States must oppose.
1t is not going beyond the truth to say that
this country has no love in particular for
the Latin-American republicS-at least IL
does not bear them in higher esteem than
other friendly governments. But as the one
great power OF the Western hemisphere 1t
holds that its own interests ere paramount
TO those OF others, and therefore 1t CAM Ut
assent to proposition that involves a seiZ-
ure of territory as an offset for debt. Nor
is 1T certain that European governments are
hankering particularly after South Ameri-
can territory. The German Emperor is
credited with desire to push colonization
work in order to find an outlet for home
production, and the action of his govern
ment in China is evidence that Germany
does desire additional territory, but the
Venezuelan incident had different inspira-
ton. Reduced to last analysis the blockade
maintained by Germany and England rep
resented merely a sheriff'S levy, and TO that
extent 1t was justified. Both of the allies
would be allowed by the United States, and
ii is scarcely conceivable that either of the
two blockading powers had an Interior mo-
tive in the effort to coerce payment for
claims due.
The responsibility of the United States
as the upholder of the Monroe doctrine.
however, is apt to be brought sharply to
notice in the future, II South American
republics are to be allowed to go on I'm the
old way, rashly mourning debts which they
have no means OF paying promptly. AS a
nation we cannot indorse business methods
which are open to question, and il certainly
seems as il the time had come when the
question of debt payment should be taken
up and incorporated in the Monroe doctrine
as vital portion Of that declaration of
policy. In a measure this has already been
recognized, if the stories that American
banking houses will come TO the aid Of
Venezuela are to be believed.
We are at peace with the world, and have
no desire to become embroiled in the quar-
rels Of others. But IL our attitude is such
that small and weak nations. knowing the
attitude of the United States on the Ques-
ton of land grabbing by European govern
ments, are to take advantage of this policy
to pursue wrongful course as respects the
payment of debts, then the time has come
when we must act the policeman of this
hemisphere, physically as well as morally.
This will be an unpleasant task, but the
drift OF affairs is such that we will be
forced to take Ii up unless matters change
in South America. OF a surety we cannot
expect our European friends to risk their
money in South America without right of
recourse to usually accepted methods of en-
forcing collection. The Monroe doctrine
will stand the expression of American
policy, but times are changing rapidly and
the Monroe doctrine must be altered TO suit
the present. Otherwise this country must
assume financial responsibility for the pub