Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-02-12

liz IllEIl pursue III tliit tdIuNiy "O"'N
have been fraught with marked danger to
the friendly relations of the American re-
public as well as to our own commercial
interests.
Inasmuch as the representatives Of the
allies and of Venezuela could not them
selves agree with reference to terms OF
settlement. it Is evident that President
Roosevelt could not have settled the dis
pute without serious risk of antagonizing
one side or the other.
a decision against Venezuela would
nave been the cause Of unfriendliness If
not of suspicion of American motives,
not by Venezuela alone but by all other
South American republics; and in such
an event they would almost inevitably
have FASTENED to question the value of
the Monroe doctrine. If not to discrimi-
nate against American commerce.
A decision in favor OF Venezuela by
the President of the United States would
have been hailed by the allies as evidence
OF American determination to uphold a
South American republic at whatever
cost, in either event the Monroe doc
trine would have been weakened to a
disastrous degree and our friendly rela-
lions with other powers endangered.
AS the situation is at the present time
we remain strictly neutral, while retain
ing our amiablo relations with the South
American powers Moreover our position
as the protector of the territorial integ-
rity of the American continent has been
emphasized. IT is evident that but for the
Monroe doctrine German troops would
to-day be occupying Venezuelan terri
tory and the disintegration Of that re-
public would he at hand. This object les
son in international politics can not fail
to hasten that Pan-Amcrican union which
will eventually be effected for the promo
ton of the mutual interests of the repub-
lies of the new world.
What n contrast is afforded to all this
by the position in which the allies find
themselves at the present time! England
Germany and Italy started out on a naval
expedition for the avowcd purpose of vim
d~icating their national honor, and Incl
dentally collecting a few financial debts.
They declared Il 'peaceablc' blockade
and as n guaranty of good faith sank
various Venezuelan %gunboats and fired on
several of the little republics fortiiica-
tions.
The antics OF tho allies in Venezuelan
waters have made those powers the
laughing stock of the whole civilized
world. Their glorious deeds have been
celebrated In poetry and song and given
enduring fame in caustic cartoons Of
worldwide circulation. The blunders &C
the Panther and other vessels have served
to discredit the lighting power of the
German navy, as we'll as its discretion
and diplomacy, and at the same time
to lead the British public to beratc the
Lansdowne regime for getting England
into such n dcspicable mess.
and England have each tried to throw
OH the other the tho responsibility for the
unpopular alliances initiative, and while
both have been endcaVoring to court the
friendship of the United states. both have
lost prestige and materially damaged
their good standing with the United
States.
The demand Of the allies for preferential
treatment in spite of the admitted pre-
lious obligations of Venezuela to
other powcr has assured tho United
States of the moral support Of France
and other nations, which naturally resent
the efforts Of the allies to |relegate them
To second place.
IL short it is difficult to see where Eng
land, Germany ana Italy have gained a
single point. They started out to wage
war and they have been constrained To
submit their claims to arbitration. They
sought vindication for their national
honor. but they have reaped simply a
marked loss in naval and diplomatic
prestige. They sought to collect debts
they have expended many times over the
aggregate of their monetary claims, and
their financial expenditure in connection
with the case is far from ended. They
hoped to increase their opportunities for
trade in South America; they have
wrought irreparablc injury to their com.
merce with all South American republics
They hoped to involve the United States
in difficulties VIZ our neighbors tina
, would rebound tqHheir W material ad-
vantage; they ha&o left us stronger thar
: ever with the other republics Of the Am,
erican continent, They hoped TO weaker
the Monroe doctrine in the direction OF
their right to interfere in the affairs 81
the American continent by force, while
giving it diplomatic recognition; they
have left that doctrine u recognized fac
: tor in our international relations and giVei
il practically the prestige of an interna,
tiOnal law. 70 all appearances every los.
, Of the allies has been our gain, aud II
l addition they have distinctly promoted
our present interests and future security
by helping to emphasize tho fact that th'
Monroe doctrine does not mean American
o protection for the violation Of the rights
, of person and property by any Soutl
American republic. The whole outcome il
n brilliant triumph for American state
craft and diplomacy.
Face to ace with New Conditions.
That some of the advocates of the ney
law thoroughly realize the responsible
s ties they have assumed in helping I
V bring about the substitution Of legislatio
d