The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-15

4
doctrine associated with his name. namely,
the security and peaceful isolation Of the
United States on the Western Hemisphere,
Prof. Mnnsterberg contends that to-day
1t has not the slightest validity, but ON the
contrary it Is supersitious faith in this
doctrine that. oonceivably, might endanger
the peace OF the country. II Ia conceded
that this assertion Is true only in 70 far as
the doctrine applies to South America: 1t
Ia not applicable to Central America, under
which geograph cal term we suppose the
euthor H. comprehend the Isthr.s OF
Panama and ,he mi 1hborinS coasts OF
Colombia and Venezuela, 1T would. In
deed, be impossible for the United States
to allow, say, Cuba, In passing from Spanish
hands. TO como into the possession OF
another European nation. In fact, no part
OF Central America could become the seat
OF new European colonies without soon
becoming seat Of war. The construo-
ton of a canal across the Isthmus will con-
firm and assure the moral and political
leadership of the United States throughout
Central America and the Antilles. Prof.
Minsterberg holds, however, that as regards
the major part Of South America the Htua-
ton is entirely different. The Americans
are too apt TO forget that Europe Is much
nearer to tho United States than Is, for
Instance. the Argentine Republic, and that
II one wants 10 go from New York TO Buenos
Ayree the quickest route Ia by way OF
Europe Moreover. -the United States
have really very little industrial inter
courBe or oympathy with the Latin-Ameri-
can republics. A European Power adJoins
the United States on the north from the
Atlantic TO the Pacific Ocean; yet the fact
that England at ono time their greatest
enemy, sbuts along this whole border
has never threatened the peace OF tho
United States.' Why, then, ehould 1t be pre-
sunned that catastrophe would be threat
ened II England. or Italy, or Holland. or
Germany, should get hold OF piece OF
land far away In South America, In pay
ment OF debts. or 70 insure the safety OF
migused colonies1 Our author goes on TO
argue that. so long as the United States
were small and weak, the exaggerated
dread Of unknown Developments was in
tslllgible; but, now that the country Us
large and strong. and the supposed
contrasts between the Old and New Worlds
no longer exist, seeing that tho United States
Ia much more nearly like the countries OF
central and western Europe than 1t Is like
South American republics, any argument for
the Monroe Doctrine on the ground OF fear
or misgiving is downright hysterical-
The strongest point made by the author Is,
not that the motives which first led to the
Monroe Doctrine have been thorn OF their
original potency by the course OK events.
but that the highest interests OF the United
States now demand that the moribund
doctrine shall be definitely repudiated.
1T was never doubted that the exclusion OF
the Old World countries from the new Ameri-
can continents was only the corollary from
prenise, to the eject that the Americans
themselves proposed to conhne their po-
litical interests TO their own continent.
That was wise policy in the times OF WASH
ington and Monroe, and whether or not II
would have been wise in the time OF
McEinls;', il WAS In any case at that time
thrown over. Tho Americans have united
with the European forces to do battle IN
Crinl; they have expanded their own do
main toward Asia; they have cent men oil
war TO Europe on political missions; in short.
the Americans have for years been extend
ing their political influence around the
world. and Secretary Hay has for long
time played an influential part in the Euro
pean concert Of Powers. The United States
have too often defended their Monroe claim
on the ground Of their own aloofnees from
these Powers to feel justified in urging
the claim when they no longer do keep
aloof.'
Prof. M1nsterberg urges upon our at
tention another no less important oonsid-
Grafton. He challenges denial Of his asser-
ton that the real interest OF the United
States with regard TO most Of South America
is solely that the land shall be developed
as far as possible; thAt It's enormous natural
resources shah be turned to account, and
that, out OF continent, become prosperous
industrially and commercially. important
trade advantages shall accrue TO the United
States. He submits that this is possible
only by the establishment Of order there
the instant termination OF anarchy. His
contention 10 that as long as the Monroe
Doctrine Is upheld the miserable and i'm
politic stagnAton of that vast continent
can never DO bettered, since all tho con-
sequences Of the doctrine work in just
the opposite direction. IT is sufficiently
clear that progress will not be made until
fresh, healthy. enterprising forces come
In from outside; but now. 90 soon as an
Enghshman or German or other European
UnQeTt6keH 10 earn ms HNeAiHVV4 tHcIei ne
Ia at once exposed TO the shameless eI-
tortion and other chicanery Of the 30 called
Governments. And when European capt.
tai wishes 10 help the development Of these
countries, 1t receives absolutely no pro-
lection against their wretched politicians.
And all this is merely because the chartered
rasoals In power know that they can kill
and steal with impunity, so long as the
sacred Monroe Doctrine IL there, Ike an
enchanted wall. between them and the
mother countries OF their victims; they
know only too we'll that no evil can come
to them, since the statesmen at Washing
ton are bound down 70 a prejudics and
required scrupulously TO protect every hair
on their precious heads. All this prevents
any infusion Of good blood from coming
into these countries, and 80 abandons the
land entirely to tho Incidence Of its. in
habitants. The conditions would be eco
nomically sounder, In almost every part OF
South America. II more immigrants came
In. and more especially II those that came
could take larger part in the Govern-
nAents.'
Our author himself Acknowledges Chat
the force Of his objections TO The Monroe
Doctrine would be impaired not eI-
tinguiShed, by such corollsyS az that pro-