New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-06

we must be thoroughly alive TO our interests in
| There are certain essential points which must
neyer be forgotten regards the Monroe Doc
+. trfne. In the first place we must as a nation
make II evident that do not intend to treat
it I'm any shape or way as an excuse for ag-
grandizement on our part at the expense OF the
republics to the south. We must recognize inc
fact that in some South American countries
there has been much suspicion lest We should
interpret the Monroe Doctrine as in some way
inimical to their interests, and we must try TO
convince ell the other nations of this continent,
once and for all. that just and orderly gov
eminent has anything 10 fear from us. There
are certain republics to the south of Us which
have already reached such a point of stability,
order and prosperity that they themselves,
though as yet hardly consciously, are among the
guarantors of this doctrine. These republics We
now meet not only basis of entire equality,
but in spirit of frank and respectful friendship,
which we hope is mutual If all of the republics
to the south of will only grow those TO
which ailude have already grown all need for
to be the especial champions of the doctrine
will disappear, for no stable and growing Amer
lean republic wishes to great non
American military power acquire territory in its
neighborhood All that this country desires is
that the other republics on this continent shall
be happy and prosperous; and they cannot be
happy and prosperous unless they maintain order
within their boundaries and behave with a just
regard for their obligations toward outsiders. 1t
must be understood that under no circumstances
will the United States use the Monroe Doctrine
cloak for territorial aggression. We desire
peace with all the world, but perhaps most of
all with the other peoples of the American con-
which any self-respecting nation endure.
It is always possible that wrong actions toward
this nation, or toward citizens of this nation in
some state unable to keep order among its own
people unable to secure justice from outsiders,
and unwilling TO do justice to those outsiders
who treat 1t well, may result in our having to
take action 10 protect our rights; but such ac-
ton will not be taken with view to territorial
aggression, and it Will be taken at all only with
extreme reluctance and when it has become evil
dent that every other resource has been ex-
hausted.
Moreover. we must make it evident that We do
not intend to permit the Monroe Doctrine to be
used by any nation on this continent shield
to protect it from the
NOT A quences of its own misdeeds
SHIELD FOR against foreign nations If
MISDEEDS. repGblic to the south of
commits tort against a for
eign nation. such as outrage against
citizen of that nation. then the Monroe Doctrine
does not force us to interfere to prevent punish
ment Of the tort save to see that the punish
ment does not assume the form Of territorial oc-
cupation in any shape. The is more difficult
when II refers to q cOntractual obligation Our
own government has always refused to enforce
such contractual obligations behalf of its
citizens by an appeal to arms. It is much to be
wished that all foreign governments would take
the same view. But they do not; and In con-
sequence we are liable at any time to be brought
face to face with disagreeable alternatives On
cline to go to war to prevent foreign govern
Inent from collecting just debt; on the other
hand, IL is very inadvisable TO permit any for
eign power to take possession even Temporarily,
OF the custom houses of an American republic In
order TO enforce the payment OF its obligations;
for such temporary occupation might turn into
a permanent occupation The only escape from
these alternatives may at any time be that we
must ourselves undertake to tring about some
arrangement by which so much as possible of g
Just obligation shall be paid 1t is far better
that this country should put through such an
country to undertake IT. To do so insures the
republic from having to pay debts of
an improper character under duress while 1t
also insures honest creditors of the republic
from being passed by in the interest of dis
honest grasping creditors. Moreover, for the
United States TO take such position offers the
ONLY possible way of insuring us against a clash
with some foreign power. The position is,
therefore, in the interest of peace as well as in
people: it is of benefit to foreign peoples; and.
most of ALL 1t is really of benefit to the people Of
the country concerned.
This brings me to what should be one of the
fundamental objects of the Monroe Doctrine.
We must ourselves in good faith try to help
upward toward peace and order those of our
sister republics which need such help. Just as
there has been a gradual growth of the ethical
element in the relations of one individual to
another SO we are, though slowly, more
and more coming to recognize the duty of bear
ing one anothers burdens not only as among
but also as among nations
Santo Domingo, in her turn, has now made an
appeal TO US to help her, and not only every
principle of wisdom. but every generous instinct
within bids respond to the
appeal. II IS not of the slightest
DOMINGO. consequence whether grant the
aid needed by Santo Domingo as
an incident TO the wise QeVeIOpnlenC Oh the
Monroe Doctrine, or because we regard the case
of Santo Domingo standing wholly by itself.
and to be treated as such, and not on general
principles or with any reference TO the Monroe
Doctrine. The important point IS to give the
needed aid, and the Is certainly sufficiently
peculiar to deserve to be judged purely on its
own merits. The conditions in Santo Domingo
have for number of years grown from bad TO
worse, until year ago all society was on the
time ruler sprang up in santo Domingo, who,
with his colleagues, saw the dangers threatening
their country and appealed to the friendship or
the only great and powerful neighbor who pos
sessed the power and, they hoped. also the
will to help them. There imminent danger
OF foreign Intervention The previous rulers OF /
Santo Domingo had recklesSly incurred debts,
and owing to her internal disorders she had
ceased TO be able to provide means of paying
the debts. The patience of her foreign creditors
had become exhausted. and at least two foreign
nations Were on the point of intervention. and
were only prevented from interfering by the
unofficial assurance of this government that 1t
would itself strive to help Santo Domingo in her
hour Of need. In the case of one of these ma
TONS only the actual opening Of negotiations to
this end by our government prevented the seiz-
ure of territory In Santo Domingo by Euro
pean power. OF the debts incurred some were
really renders it obligatory or. or proper for,
Santo Domingo to pay them IN full. But she
could not pay any of them unless some STABILITY
was assured her government and people
Accordingly the Executive Department Of our
negotiated treaty under which we
are to try to help the Dominican people TO
pending before the Senate. In the mean time
Il mporary arrangement has been made which
will last until the Senate has had time TO take
action upon the treaty. Under this arrange
ment the Dominican government has appointed
Americans to all the important positions in the
customs service, and they are seeing to the
honest collection OF the revenues. turning over
As FER cent to the government for running ex-
penses and putting the other % per cent into
safe depositary for equitable division in case the
treaty shall be ratified. among the various cred
itors whether European or American.
The custom houses offer wellnigh the only
sources of revenue in Santo Domingo, and the
different ravolutions usually have as their real