New-York tribune., 1903-01-03
II SAFEGUARD OF PEACE
British lSoGcitude Ouer Preserving
the Monroe Doctrine.
London December q

T.
dual alliance for maritime police work was an
nounced there was serious misgiving lest
England had beer drawn into European con-
spiracy against the United States: and even
when evidence was supplied thai the Washing
ton Government had been consulted at every
stage there were protests against coalition
which might ultimately raise the Monroe ques-
ton in q subtle and dangerous way The Brit
ish Foreign Office promptly supported the Ger
man Emperor's suggestion that the best method
OF dispensing with a guarantee for the payment
Of the award would be the choice of President
Roosevelt as arbitrator; yet many writers were
convinced that England had been committed to
an llterior attack upon the Monroe Doctrine.
which a crowned intrisuer'' was seeking 10
subvert after efTectually discrediting American
prestige in Brazil and the Spanish republics.
The worst possible construction was placed upon
what was obviously an INGENIOUS attempt on the
part Of the German Emperor TO demonstrate
his friendliness 70 the American people The
pessiuists were convinced that he was a con-
spirator against the pea>e Of the Western Hemi-
sphere and that he had succeeded in making
easy dupes OF MI. Balbur and Lord Lansdowne
and in committing thin in advance to in
sidious plot against a important British inter
est-the Monroe Doctinei
These Nagaries of British distrust Of Ger
many are not without value and utility when
the Monroe Doctrin is accepted Anglo
American affair. / was eighty years ago
when a British salesman, George Canning,
either suggested te idea encouraged John
Quincy Adams &c repare the first draft OF the
famous deciaratia OF President Monroe It
remained an Angl-Anerican interest even when
historians like ". Froude drew parallel be-
tween II and III PapaI bull which proclaimed
that Spaniards ione should own territory west
q the Atlanticin the continent discovered by
them II Eurpean holdings in the Western
Hemisphere hse not been Increased since 1923,
neither have ritish dependent and colonies
been ruena Gee with invasion and attack from
any quarter the Monroe Doctrine has indirect
y protected British possessions in the New
World eveawhen Brother Jonathan was lam
-5ooned as asraggart who was assuming 10 own
2 contfnentand to order its political destinies.
In no ofhe quarter Of the British Empire has
fhere been-he same degree OF tranquility and
exernptioufro7n foreign attack IN Canada,
Nevfoundnd and the British possessions in the
West Inds. Guiana ano Honduras There have
been wal little and big, in Asia and Africa,
but ther has been only one tnsErrectien. and
that Z 1Yiai one, il British America. Mr.
Cannins forecast that the New World would
fe Gale into existence to redress the balance
Uf the id WoTld'' has been fulfilled. and the
-Eou-os Doctrine has remained a substantial
I5-itisi interest well as the chief canon OF
-Auaera-l diplomacy.
ThSonTe-sion Of English1ren 10 this view oe
the enroe Doctrine began with the first Ven
ezuen affair, when the right Of the United
Stat to intervene in the settlement Of the
Guiia boundary and 10 arrange the conditions
OF birration was definitely recognized The
Clston-Bulwer treaty nag revised in q spirit of
1nElal accommodation. and the Monroe Doc
Ire mas been described repeatedly by The
Ties and other influential journals as a pol
s. 10 which Great Britain has no right 10 take
scsption. and which the English people have no
ferest in obst-Ccting. Here is characteristic
assage from The Manchester Guardian re-
specting Lord Salisbury's motive in adopting
s,onciliatory course in the first Venezuelan af-
fair: It WIS great thing to have con-
.inent-half world, indeed-reuoved from the
reach Of warlike international rivalry terri
sorisl greed and he decided that this advantage
was more than worth z few square miles Of ter
ritory CT q little unsettled account In other
words he accepted the Monroe Doctrine not as
an American. but English interest. He
had ether reasons. no doubt. notably the wish 10
oe on good terms with the United States, but
more important than these was his conviction
that peace in the New World was paramount
British interest well American enc:
New converts are apt TO be Jealous, and conse-
uueutly there IS fine glow Of enthusiasm when
responsibility. but Of interest and benefit in the
Canning Monroe Doctrine
Having discovered what has been toIerabIy
plain for eighty years. namely that England
End the United States have joint interest in
keeping the Western Hemisphere out Of the
range Of European jealousies and strife the
Lancashire journal throws out dark hints that
Germany is plotting against both nations when
Il proposes the Presidents name arbitra-
Tor. and that the political security OF the world
viii be greatly diminished by the Venezuelan
settlement even if the creditors claims are col
lected The argument is that the German En-
peror has raised the Monroe question in COM
peIling the American Government either to take
2 more active part in the control of the South
American States or to allow European nations
70 DO il fer themselves and that there more
ways OF gaining political foothold in q country
than by sending armies TO conquer it II Ven
ezuela pays the claims after the processes Of
ARBITRATION the American Government viii lose
its popularity, and Caracas VIII be convinced
that the Monroe Doctrine has been leased TO
German bankers. If the awards are repudiated
1he United States viii either have to collect the
money OF allow Great Britain and Germany TO
get it for themselves; and il is difficult TO draw
the line between control Of finances and acquisi-
tion Of political influence. as has been shown in
the recent history Of Egypt The conclusion TO
which this English argument leads is that the
British Government has acted most unwisely in
assisting Germany TO raise the Monroe question
and TO force the United States 10 assume re-
sponsibiiity for the Spanish republics.
British suspicion becomes mania when the
German Emperor's preference for President
Roosevelt as an arbitrator is represented in this
way ss an fnsidious plot against Anglo-Ameri-
ran interests in the American Continent King