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

dent, is righteousness; better aim than peace,
because righteousness is greater shan peace ana
comprises 1t, while peace might not comprise
righteousness. There are he reminds us, dema-
gogues of peace just as there are demagogues OF
war, and it may be that in some cases they are
as mischievous. Such are they who shriily de-
claim that all wars are equally wicked and saw
age, and who denounce all efforts toward peace
which do not involve the immediate disarma-
ment of all nations and unhesitating submission
of every conceivable question TO alien arDitra-
| ton. Theirs is what the President well de-
scribes as "a folly which, in striving to achieve
1.-The impossible would render it hopeless to
strive to achieve the practical" He sees the
evil of their demagogism and, while he denounces
| it he himself suggests greater progress on the
true path than they have ciamored Tor III
false direction when he wisely says that disagm-
ament is not, after ALL OF prime Importance, be-
cause there is need to get rid Of the causes
OF war than of the implements Of war"
In getting rid of the causes of war; then, the
President lays suitable stress upon the Monroe
Doctrine "as it has been and is being gradually
developed by this nation and accepted by other
nations" In that qualifying clause there is
valuable reminder The Monroe Doctrine has
indeed been and is being, and in future DOUBT
less will further be- developed by this nation
That is inevitable because as the President says,
when we announce such policy we commit our
selves to its consequences, and those conse-
ouences change from time to time; wherefore
our application OF the policy must be adapted
and readapted to changing conditions That has
notably been the case with the Monroe Doctrine.
But it is equally notable and equally true that,
as the President suggests, acceptance of the doc
trine by other nations has proceeded pdrt paSS@
with our own development OF It. Time was
within some present memories, when lead1ng
European Minister Of State speaking for his SOW
ereign did not hesitate to say blunty that ms
government did not recognize the Monroe DOC
trine as international law. It may not be so
recognized to-day; but ut least foreign govern
ments are not now treating it so cavallerly' put
are conducting their affairs with the American
states with scrupulous regard for that doctrine
in all its latter day development and expansion
Nor is this TO be wondered at when we con-
slider the spirit in which the President declares
the doctrine must be maintained Brleny, IL is
To afford Ms no ACKNOWLEDGEMENT at the expense
of our neighbors and is to be no cloak for terri
torial aggression neither is it to be shield for
eviIdoers among the nations, to exempt them
from just penalty; nor, finally. IS it to invest
us with authority without commensurate re
sponsibiIity. The case of Santo Domingo is cited
as much in point. Had it not been for the Mon
roe Doctrine that republic might some time ago
have been wiped out of existence to satisfy the
demands of creditors, some Of whom are almost
unouestionabIy dishonest. The United States
under the Monroe Doctrine, forbids such spolia-
ton Instead. however, of stopping there Ike
dog in manager, this country takes up the
white mans burden, in response TO the Domini
can appeal and gives the insular republic moral
and administrative aid, SO as to assure the Just
payment Of all honest creditors as well as to
thyart the designs of the dishonest. 1t is fine
tribute to American aid TO that country that
while our collectors at Dominican custom houses
are holding 80 per cent of receipts for the public
creditors and are giving only 40 per cent to the
Dominican government, that 40 per cent amounts
to more than the whole revenue did under native
administration! With such achievements in ap-
plication as an object lesson there need be no
worrying about recognition Of the Monroe DOC
trine in international law.
The same sane and just attitude is assumed by
the President toward our lately YeXatlous rela-
lions with China. He stands for the open
door. He maintains our right TO enforce re
strictive immigration laws. But we cannot eX-
poet to receive equity unless we do equity. The
Chinese would have the same right TO enforce
restrictive laws in like circumstances against our
people: and the President sees plainly, and does
not hesitate to say frankly, that the recent boy
colt against American goods in China was chiefly
provoked by the harshnesS of our laws and the
lack Of courtesy and Justice in their adminlstra-
ton toward Chinese students travellers and
business men, who should not properly be sub
iected to any restrictions in entering this coun-
try To seek not merely peace, but the greater
and higher aims of righteousness and justice;
TO make our responsibility commensurate with
orr authority and TO do to others-to black and
brown and yellow men as we'll as 10 white-as
we desire them to do to Us are the cardinal
points of the policy which the Presidents mes
sage outlines and advocates in our relations with
the world abroad. There could be none more
reasonable and none more honorable and profit
able for this nation to pursue.