New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-03
DIcT4TIOy TO MoROCCO.

Have our Democratic friends given due at
tention to what is going on at Washington and
Tangier? AS the Heaven ordained guardians
of liberty according to law, and the protectors
Of our institutions against usurpatiOn, 1t be-
hooves them to be watchful. Now that they are
already aroused to denunciation of President
Roosevelts lawless tendency to NEEDLE with the
affairs of weak nations they will be inexcus-
able if they pass specific instances Of meddling
unrebuked. The Presidents letter to the Cubans
the other day, in which he declared the good in
tentiOns Of this country toward well behaved
neighbors, was Immediately seized upon as evil
dence not only Of q belligerent attitude, but of
purpose to set up his own viii above the laws
and play the big policeman" whether the au-
thorlty is granted to him or not. Just where
II the letter oil this was found we do not know,
but since the Democrats have discovered the
terrible menace to our peace and order they
should not fail to nip such lawlessness in the
bud. Therefore, we call their attention to the
Morocco affair.
Washington dispatches state that warning has
been sent to the Moorish government Of our in
tention to hold the bandit Raisuli personally re-
sponsible for the life Of Mr.. Perdicaris. If Mr..
Perdicaris Is killed. we shall look to the Sultan
for the execution Of the bandit Then of course,
II the Sultan fails or is refractory, we shall
have to go in and set things to rights and pun
ish the brigand ourselves. Now, this is pro-
gramme to arouse the ire Of all true Democrats.
AS if It was not bad enough TO talk about our
possible duty under the Monroe Doctrine to pre-
vent outrages against civilization within our
own sphere OF influence, here the President goes
across the sea to NEEDLE in Morocco! Doesn't
he know that this violates the Monroe Doctrine
Just as our entry into the affairs Of the Orient
did? Doesn't he remember that the Democrats
proved that doctrine to forbid our emergence
frnr1 fhn ,-.I,,
is he to give the Moors orders? This is "a gov
eminent OF laws, not OF men," and It Is a
shame for him TO play the big policeman" and
bully" the Sultan! 1t is insulting to Morocco to
assume that it can not or will not enforce its
own laws, which, Of course forbid kldnappingl
Moreover who gave the President authority TO
declare war2 This representation IS a condl-
uonal declaration Of war. II puts the United
States in position where in certain contngen-
cies 1t would be obliged TO undertake military
operations. The Democrats must know thatthe
President should have consulted Congress be-
fore delivering any ultimatum of that kind and
we hope the few remaining Democratic State
conventions viii not fail TO note this invasion
Of the legislative preroGatlve
OF course, poor Mr.. Perdicarls might be killed
for the lack Of little meddling in Morocco. But
what does that matter? This IS "a government
OF laws not Of men" II Americans 90 abroad
they do so at their own risk. II the President
is allowed to protect them in Morocco. he will
be encouraged TO do the same IN san Domingo
and that would be terrible. No doubt this con-
temptuous attitude toward the Moors and as
sumption Of the right from orr high pinnacle
OF civilization to tell them how they must be gov.
erned are an outgrowth Of the lingo. imperial
istic spirit which looks down on nations every
where, particularly weak ones The President
would not send such notice to Great Britain
or Germany II an American citizen were in
danger Of murder within the territories Of one
of them. Better the murder of n dozen pardi.
carises than this assumption Of dictatorship over
Morocco.