Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-01-09
MONROEDO(TR|Nt WAR
SENATOR BACON THINKS
II WILL BE SURE 10 COME
GREAT BRITAIN AND GERMANY
ACTING NEAR DANGER LINE.
WHAT MONROE DE.
cLARED.

Washington. ID. c.. Dec. 22.-Senator
Bacon OF Georgia is pessmistic over
the Venezuelan situation, and looks for
trouble over the Monroe Doctrine.
1T is perfectly apparent to me-
said the Senator. that we must either
ebandon or modify the Monroe Doc
trine or fight for II. | am sure we
shall not modify 1t, and am equally
sure We shall not abandon It, Then
there is but one conclusion That is
war sooner or later.
Germany and Great Britain in the
Venezuelan crisis have had an Interior
purpose in view which is apparent up
ON its face. For these two nations TO
demonstrate their naval strength be-
fore Venezuela means great deal more
than a simple declaration of feeling
against Venezuela. A single battle
ship against weak and helpless Vene-
zuela would accomplish what a whole
fleet could do, and therefore the con
gregation of great naval Strength there
means something more. Every one
agrees, think, that there is some
thing behind the scenes. What that Is
is apparent without any comment from
me
Il believe" continued Mr.. Bacon.
that the present difficulty will be It'd
ed over without our government be-
coming involved. But believe that II
Germany and Great Britain were to
continue their harsh measures trouble
would grow out of the crisis in a very
short time. | am fearful as to the fu-
ture. Something may grow out OF 1t.
The European nations evidently do not
! intend to submit to the Monroe Doc
| trine as We construe 1t. | am opposed
10 war, but have no doubt that this
doctrine will lead to war eventually.
Il do not agree with those who make
the general statement that the one
violation of the Monroe Doctrine eX-
lists in the acquisition of territory. In
the message sent TO Congress by Pres
ident Monroe he expressly stated that
any efforts by European governments
to Cypress country or a people upon
! this hemisphere would be regarded as
an indication Of an unfriendly DISPOSE.
! ton toward the American government.
and the same sentiment is TO be found
frequently in the diplomatic cores
pondence of this government with Eu-
ropeon powers relative TO the Monroe
Doctrine.
Now, | don't want to say that the
European governments involved in
tended to Cypress the Venezuelan gov
eminent, because | don't want to say
anything at this time which would in
any manner prove an obstacle TO the
arbitration plan which has been pro-
posed and which IL is to be, hoped will
be carried out successfully. In my
opinion, however. the action OF Great
Britain and Germany has been danger
ously near the mark. II Is difficult to
understand why such harsh and dras-
tic measures We're necessary in deal
ing with the utterly helpless republic
of Venezuela, which could offer no re.
sistance in any EVENT. .
When 1t was suggested that the
United States might be forced into the
payment of the Venezuelan debt, SEN
ator Bacon said:
| IL don't believe that this government
will ever consent TO the payment OF
any other nations debts No such
price for maintaining the Monroe Doc
trine will be paid. The doctrine will
be enforced in another W..
u am satisfied that Senators gsner-
ally regardless OF political opinions
have restrained themselves from ex-
preston upon this question because
they recognize that II is grave and
they have not wished to add 10 the
difficulties OF the situation by any in
temperate speech. This silence, per-
haps, has been misunderstood abroad.
Our silence has not been by any means
In the nature of acquiescence. Every
one recognizes the right OF govern
ment to collect its debts from another
government. but in this case It appears
to me that Great Britain and Germany
Il