The San Francisco call., 1903-01-21


M hension because OF the incident, there is
Wv calm American determination that Germany
shall not gain by any OF aggression against Vene
zuela We recognize the responsibility OF Castro for
the position in which his country is placed and accept
whatever our adherence to the Monroe doctrine inn
plies.
The situation, automatically, has been Of great
deicacy and difficulty for US, but the President and
Secretary Hay have it frankly and positively.
Their attitude has led it toward sane and peaceabe
settlement through which the nationals despoiled by
Venezuela will get their just indemnity, and great in
ternal benefit will follow to the people OF that dis
tressed ard distracted country. Through the calm
and courageous action OF our Government, the whole
matter is in an adjustment to which Great Britain
cheerfuly assented, and to which Germany was COM
PEELED TO agree But matter what sentiment
back OF her agreement she agreed and every consid
Grafton CT national honor dictates that she abide by
that agreement.
In this status with Minister Bowen absent from his
post and en- Washington act for Venezuela.
by assent OF the concerted powers, for Germany
commit al act OF war by firing on Venezuelan fort
ress can be characterized nothing less than act
wanton and willful aggression that could have
other purpose than the prevention OF peaceable and
honorable settlement. 1t discloses evidence to sup
port the contention of the London press that Ger
many secured the concert OF Great Britain for Interior
purposes OF her own, and not from any desire to aid
the British administration in securing the justice
British subjects long denied and delayed by Castro
In this view the exploit OF the Panther assumes the
aspect OF direct challenge the United States. 1t
IS defiance OF the Monroe doctrine and notice to
that the empire has territorial designs in the Monroe
hemisphere. II intended, Germany need not Ian
guish and get tired waiting for notice OF our position
IL
American constitution, for Government and peo-
PIE will defend tie one powerfully as the other.
But there will be no war with Germany The frank
ness OF diplomacy and the strength OF position
forbid that Already Italy and Great Britain have ac
ceptcd in good faith and sincerity the settlement sug
gested by the United States, and put in the hands OF
Minister Bowen Germany is not wanted as a neigh
Dor by either Great Britain France who hold the
Guianas. So II Germany challenge TO sustain the
Monroe doctrine by arms, she challenges hemi-
sphere not the United States alone. Every govern
ment from the Rio Grande the straits of Magellan
would instantly gravtate to an alliance with the
United States in such a war, and all their resources
combined with ours would present d solid front to
Germany SO that empire would find on hand war
against a hundred and fifty millions OF people, all un-
der the direction OF the military genius and the crea
tive power OF the United States.
such struggle WOuIQ nave 10 De sustained, Nflle
at the same time she defended her position in Europe
Does any one suppose that France would miss the op
poruity for recovery her Rhensh frontier that
the compact between Russia and France would lie
dormant with all OF its possibilities for the expulsion
OF Germany from her unwecome contact with Russian
interests in China'
Leaving out such issues the foregoing, it is not 10
the interest OF the of Europe promote the
bilious schemes OF Germany abroad. No other Con
tinental nation interested in charging the foothold
OF the empire anywhere beyond the So, the act
OF Germany is empirical It is experimental 1t is
diplomacy the and try plan and will not likely
be followed up. The probability OF this is seen in the
declaration made by the Government in the German
Parliament the inception of the Venezuela matter
that the Kaiser accepted and proposed to respect the
Monroe doctrine. SO it may be anticipated that our
Government the subject of this last incident
will bring reply to the effect that challenge was
intended Germany is then likely to receive the in
formation that the President OF the United States con-
strues both words and acts and that acts consruable
into defiance OF the Monroe doctrine will hereafter
ceiye our attention