Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-03

of q. weak sister repub,ic-whether this &C
orisitton might take the shape of an out.
right and avowed seizure of territory OF OF
the exercise of control whicn "oul1 a., III ~
effect be equivalent to such seizure: rms
attitude was expressed in the two following
published memoranda, the first being the
letter addressed by the Secretary OF state
to the German ambassador. the second the
conversation with the Secretary OF state
reported by the British ambassador:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, December 10, 1871.
His Excellency, DR.. Won Holleben, ETC.:
Dear Excellency: inaose menlof an an,
dunn by way of reply to that which you did
me the honor to leave with me on Satur-
day. and am, as ever,
Faithfully yours. JOHN HAY.
Memorandum.
The President, in his message OF the 80
of December 1901, used the following IAN
Suage:
The Monroe doctrine Is a declaration
that there must be no territorial aggran.
dizement by any non-American power at
the expense of any American power on
American soil. 1t Is in no wise intended as
hostile to any nation in the old world
THE President further said:
This doctrine has nothing to do with
the commercial relations OF any American
power save that it in truth allows each OF
them to form such as 1t desires.
We do not guarantee any STATE asallst
punishment II it misconducts ITSELF pro-
vfded that punishment does not take the
form Of acquisition Of territory by any nom
American power.
The Intentions Of Germany.
His excellency, the German ambassador,
on his recent return from Berlin. conveyed
personally to the President the assurance
of the German emperor that his majesty
government had no purpose or intention TO
make even the smallest acquisition of ter
ritory on the South American continent or
the islands adjacent. This voluntary and
friendly declaration was afterWard repeat
ed to the Secretary of State and was re-
ceived by the President and the people OF
the United States in the frank and cordial
spirit in which it was offered In the
memorandum Of the 18th of December his
excellency, the German ambassador. re-
peats these assurances as follows: we de-
clare especially that under no circum-
stances do we consider in our proceedings
the acquisition or the permanent occupation
of Venezuelan territory.
I'm the said memorandum OF the 18th or
December the German government informs
that of the United States that 1t has GER
tain just claims for money and for dam
ages wrongfully withheld from German
subjects by the government OF venezuela,
and that it proposes to take certain coercive
measures described in the memorandum to
enforce the payment of these just claims.
THE President Of the United States. APP
preciating the courtesy Of the German gov
eminent In making MIN acquainted Will tIe
state of affairs referred to, and not regard
ing himself as called upon to enter into the
consideration of the claims in question, be-
lieves that no measures will be taken in
this matter by the agents of the German
government which are not in accordance
with the well-known purpose, above set
forth of his majesty, the German en-
peror."
Position Of the United States.
fSir Michael Herbert to the Marquis of
I-ansdowne.)
WASHINGTON, November Is, 1902.
IT communicated to Mr. Hay this morn
ing the substance of your lordships tele-
gram Of the 18th instant.
His excellency stated in reply that the
United States government, although they
regretted that European powers should use
force against Central and South American
countries could not object to their taking
steps to obtain redress for injuries sunered
by their subjects, provided that no acqulsl-
| ton of territory was contemplated
| Both powers assured us in explicit terms
| that there was not the slightest intention
| on their part to violate the principles of
| the Monroe doctrine, and this assurance
was kept with an honorable good faith
which merits full acknowledgment on our
| part. At the same time, the existence of
hostilities in region so near our own Dor
| ders was fraught with such possibilities OF
| danger In the future that 1t was obviously
| no less our duty to ourselves than our duty
| to humanity to endeavOr to put an end to
| that Accordingly, by offer of our good
services in a spirit of frank friendliness to
all the parties concerned, spirit In which
| they quickly and cordially responded, we
secured a resumption of peace-the con-
! tending parties agreeing that the matters
| which they could not settle among them
selves should be referred to The Hague
| tribunal for settlement The United States
| had most fortunately already been able to
set an example to other nations by utilizing
| the great possibilities for good contained In
| The Hague tribunal. question at issue
between ourselves and the republic of Mex
| leo being the first submitted to this inter-
| national court of arbitration.
Growing Influence of the United States
The terms which We have secured As
| those under which the isthm.an canal Is to
| be built and the course of events in the
| Venezuelan matter, have shown not merely
the ever growing influence of the United
States in the western hemisphere, but also
| think l may safely say, have exemplifed
| the firm purpose of the United States that
its growth and influence and power shall
| rebound not to the harm but to the benefit
| OF our sister republics whose strength Is
| less Our growth, therefore. Is beneficial
| to human kind In general. We do not IN
| tend to assume any position which can give
! lust offense to our nelghbors. Our adher-
| ence to the rule Of human right Is not
| merely profession The history of our deal
| ings with Cuba shows that We reduce 1t to
performance.
The Monroe doctrine Is not international
law, and though l think one day 1t may
| become SUCH this Is not necessary as long
as It remains a cardinal feature OF our for
eign policy and as long as We possess botf