New-York tribune., 1903-01-15
THE " NEW AMERICA" :"
Last December an Important Land
marx in History.


81 politics. The diplomatic action of President
Roosevelt in forcing England and Germany to
oountermand naval aggression in Venezuela
snd bring their dispute with the South American
republic 20 The Hague tribunal Of arbitra-
tion. where they should have begun it, has for
;he first time brought home to the Gallo mind
the latent force of New America" For the
last three months the great dominating person
atty among the rulers and statesmen of the
world-the French worship dominating person
slties-has been President Roosevelt. Then
came the Venezuela difficulty. at first followed
crly by professional diplomatists for there are
scores or instances Of European powers having
claimed indemnities from Central or South
American governments whose reputation
slippery creditors has become proverblal.
But soon. French observers, always relishing
dramatic situations. regarded the Venezuela
controversy as a duel between two civilizations
that OF the Old World personified by En-
peror William and that of the New World by
President Roosevelt. French Imagination be-
came hypnotized by these heroic figures. There
was thriu ot expectancy. 1t was felt that
something had changed in America as day by
DAY editorial comments on the Venezuelan dis
pute appeared, the trend of sympathy became
distinctly in favor OF President Roosevelt
Serious political journals like the Temps"
.'Debats-' 'Matin'' and Steele" censured the
conduct Of the German commodore in sinking
The Venezuelan ships The Figaro" 'Gaulois.''
'Nattn," Petit Journal --Eclair" and espe-
ciaIy the radical Petite Republique' enthusi-
asrically indorsed the attitude Of the Washing
ton Cabinet and condemned, often in violent
language. the concerted aggression of England
and Germany. It is no eXaggeration TO say
that, short Of actual war between European
powers. no event has ever caused so deep an
i--p-ession in France as the attitude assumed
toward England and Germany by the United
States
Almost every French political writer has
treated the subject. The opinion of French
diplomacy has been set forth in glowing con-
gratuIations to President Roosevelt in the
open letter OF Baron d d'Estournelles de Constant,
already ca bled TO The Hague, Vicomte Melchior
de Vogue. Of the French Academy. a personal
friend Of u. Jusserand. the French Ambassador
70 the United States, who in a few weeks in
tends 10 leave Paris to assume his duties at
Washington. has drawn up. in the form Of a
leading article in the "Gaulois," a statement
that has caused widespread attention here, and
T7nquestionably expresses the real sentiment in
France toward the New America" Indeed. it
would be impossible for me TO convey a better
idea Of the present feeling Of France toward the
United States than by summarizing its salient
points.
NJ. de Vogue after drawing a contrast be
tween The condition Of affairs forty years ago,
when the France Of the Second Empire was
able TO land an army in Mexico, and only ten
years ago, when Colombia and Venezuela sub
1nitted their boundary dispute to the arbitration
Of Spain, declares that December. 1902, Will be
regarded as a most important landmark in his
-orv for II is the date OF the turning Of the
Gales in the equilibrium Of the two hemispheres.
he American continent is henceforth intangible
Europe. This is for the first time clear
all The Indebtedness Of the Caracas govern
.ent 10 England and Germany is as valid as
as that Of the Jeckel bonds. Emperor VIII
an and King Edward have at their disposal far
Greater military and naval strength than did
NAPOLEON III Nevertheless, their joint brutal
zctfou was paralyzed from the outset, not by
Command nor by declared resistance, but merely
ly the apprehension Of redOubtable voice pro-
nouncing the words ''Noli me tangere" CHands
of!" The German and English guns were spiked
IS by invisible figure
No threat or recrimnation came from Wash
irgton but merely low, subdued growing OF
optnion like that heard near the Antilles vol
canoes before an eruption. Mr. Roosevelt and
his ministers were reserved and correct. Presi-
dent Castros cause was really too hinsy for
them 10 touch They did nothing more than
call attention to a few diplomatic and practical
distinctions in regard 10 the blockade Europe
understood the meaning OF these half uttered
words England and Germany kept at prudent
a big watchdog lying at the doorstep looking at
tbs intruder, but without barking. Europe saw
that new era had opened on the other side OF
the Atlantic. Like ancient mariners, Emperor
William and King Edward believed they saw
giant Adamastor looming above the waves
and barring passage to the invading ships-a
sort Of phantom genius Of that empire without
an emperor which extends over the whole OF
America It's protecting shield
The III concerted action Of Germany and Eng
land only served bring into stronger relief the
personality Of President Roosevelt Entangled
IN sort Of blind alley the allies at last Of their
own accord solicited the mediation OF the indis-
pensable arbiter. President Roosevelt, with
calm but superb gesture, sent then to the for
gotten tribunal Of The Hague. This. says n. de
Vogue marks the arrival at an important halt
ing place on the road where one may discern
first 2 moral protectorate, then an acknowi-
edged supremacy. and finally the effective su-
zereignty under which may pass the Latin repuo-
lies OF the New World The French Acaoe-
Tnician here traces the acquisition by the United
States Of Louisiana, Florida. California, Texas
and the Philippines, which he compares with
the gradual growth by congloueration Of Rome,
which proceeded first by the federation Of the
Italian peninsula and then by the annexation Of
the trans-Alpine provinces The Neo-Ron1ans
across the Atlantic are executing similar evo-
NJ de Vogue recalls a picturesque incident
that lends sentimental interest 70 the political
situation It was on July 81. 149s. that Colum-
bus set sail from Trinidad. On August ) his
servant AIonzo Perez de Huelva. woke him up
with the announcement that the mouth Of a
great river was IN view. II was the Orinoco.
During the next few days Columbus, taking
possession Of the land in the name or the KING