Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-03-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
prom our Regular correspondent.

fTOm our ulHT
Washington. d. c.. March "a 1T
has been ascertained that the proposed
visit of Secretary Root to the Pan
American conference at Rio Janerio
has more behind it than the mere
courtesy of the American Secretary OF
State 10 grazing the gathering. There
has been a feeling in the government
OF this country for some time past that
1t would be good thing ii the Monroe
Doctrine were specifically formulated
somewhere else on this continent than
In the United States. The larger of
the South American republics know
us and our aims very well, but there 10
constant If latent fear among the
smaller states that there 10 more of the
Big Stick and less of the protecting
hand in the attitude of this country
toward South America than appears
on the surface. For this reason they
are inclined to fear that there may be
harm for the future lurking in the
Monroe Doctrine In spite OF the fact
that it is eHuneiated by this country al
much for their protection as for the
good of the United States.
1t has been felt that II the doctrine
were publicly espOussd by some of the
stronger South American states, the
smaller republics would feel more se
cure and there would be less induce.
ment for some European country to
skate on thin ice than is now the case.
1t has been very we'll understood for a
long time that Germany was only look.
ing for good opportunity to fout the
Monroe DOstrine and if she thought
che would have the shadow OF ral
support ia South America while doing
so, she would try it at almost any time
Brazil has been picked out by this gov.
eminent as a good leader of the move.
ment to emphasize the Doctrine among
the South American states, and II is
suggested that the visit OF Secretary
Root to Rio JaLerio has more to do
with sounding the Brazilian govern
men: ON the question of an unwritten
alliance than for any other purpose.
1t is we'll understood that il it came
to the test Of force, the United States
would have to be the one to uphold
the Monroe Doctrine unafded, and
there is no thought that we could not
do this just as we'll without South
American help as With it. But if Sec.
rotary Root arranges an informal
aOk1O oAS 1000 CACCIlV6,
with Brazil, the whole circle of AmGrl
can republics will be drawn more close
ly together and the atmosphere will
be cleared Of much doubt and distrust
that the smaller states have heretofore
felt of their big northern neighbor.
The outlook for the rate bill 10 moro
perplexing than ever. Senator Deliver
at the White House this week said that
be felt confident OF the passage Of the
Hepburn bill practically unamended
within a week or ten days. At the same
time SeHator Tillman said that be was
convinced the debate ON the bill In the
Senate would continue for six weeks
longer. From the number of Senators
who have announced desire to speak
and the vigor with which Spooner and
Rayner have already thrown themselves
into the debate, it looks as though Till
man might be right and Deliver wrong.
The bill has gotten past all understand.
ing or interest to the layman. The
debate up-to date has turned on the
necessity for court review both broad
and narrow and cut on the bias. Sena-
tors who confessedly know nothing of
the necessities of railroad manager
ment, have been free to air their opin
ions and the whole question now so far
as the railroads are concerned is wheth-
er or not it will be possible to so mud.
dy the water that after the bill is
passed 1t will take years for the court
to stralghtdn out all its provisions and
then leave the situation much as it is
at present. Senator Tillman SAYS be
ID confident that the Hepburn bill is
going to be materially amended but he
added to this forecast warning that
II the two houses did not enact a
measure that came within the Presi-
dent o meaning and really regulated
the roads to the extent Of preventing
unjust discrimination, there would be
such political uphsval that the next
Congress would consist Of a majority
who would enact the legislation want
ed and take less time in talking about
it.
Secretary Taft had talk this week
with an interesting individual of Iowa
who had just come back from Panama
and who, while not of the Secretary's
camp. and close friend of former
Chief Engineer Wallace. had quite as
much good as i'll to say Of the Panama
enterprise. The gentlemen In ques.
ton was Bart E. Linehan. He has
been a business associate of Mr.. Wal
lece for years and frequently has to 20 |
to the Isthmus on business. Heknows |
in that part of the world |
fairly we'll and the fact that with his |
personal prejudice he still finds some
thing good to say of the canal manage.
ment ought to be satisfaction to the