The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-01-03
MONROE DOCTRINE IS
IMPUDENCE.
So Says One Of the Foremost Ger
man Military Writers.

BERLIN, Dec. 29.-The German Govern
ment is silent as to when the Venezuelan
blockade will be raised or whether 1t Will be
raised at all until every question concerning
arbitration is settled. The acceptance of arb
tration after the blockade was begun is GER
tanly not received with popular favor In Ger
many.
assuming that President Castro declines
TO accept the reservations, will arbitration tall
through ?" was asked of Foreign Office
official today. The official replied:
ga settlement will be reached by arbltra
ton in any event."
General Won Bogulawski, one of the fore
most military writers, contributed to the lag
liche Rundschau his views on the Monroe
doctrine. He argues that the withdrawal OF
the blockade at this stage would show ''sing-
ular weakness" After abiding to the late
Prince Bismarck's expression that the Mon
roe doctrine was great piece OF lmpu-
dence," the General says:
THAT was a true word. America IS dl
vided into many States. In varieties OF race
and language she is hardly second to Europe.
How can one State assert that it has the right
of interference and protection over an entire
continent and that it will tolerate only under
certain conditions any action, however just, OF
European nations against an American State?
A further question is. How does it happen
that this doctrine. set up so years ago by an
American statesman, has been able to justify
itself in fact, with absolutely no justification
in the law of nations?
will FEEL THUMBSCREwS.
"When the United States feels herself
threatened through any occupation OF territory
of course she has the right, like any other
nation, to raise protest and if necessary EN-
Il DIT tbara ha NO talk Of even
an apparent recognition of the Monroe doe
trine as an international law principle on the
part of European nations. 1T the latter act
otherwise they will soon feel the thumbscrews
which they put on.
Through the war against ill-equipped Spain
American self-impOrtance has been INFINITELY
increased, often showing diseased character.
The courtesies shown America by Germany
have naturally not diminished that self esteem.
How little success excessive courtesy has is
again shown here.
"Certainly the allies cannot be blamed for
sparing the United States sensltlveness to the
greatest extreme, and in seeking an agree
ment Regarding the action against Venez-
uela, the allies not only did so, but even went
to the length of offering President Roosevelt
the arbitratorshp before beginning military
action. He refused, and indeed for the rea'
son that the Justice of the case of the allies
was SO self evident that his decision could only
have been unfavorable to Venezuela, thus
damaging the United States popularity with
the other nations of the hemisphere.
"a DECISIVE VETO"
Now that warlike action has begun no
thumbscrews can be tolerated as to how far
the action taken will extend. Giving the
United States binding promises would divest
the action beforehand of lasting effect. If the
United States raises serious objection against
this she would have to determine what means
are at her disposal to give validity to her OBJ
lection. President Castro's demand that the
powers raise the blockade and return the cap
tured vessels must meet a decisive veto.
Otherwise we shall have repetition of the
disgrace of Olmuetz at sea-