Omaha daily bee., 1906-07-23
Eject on Latin-America.

But a profound impression has been
made upon the South and Central American
republics by the blockade, and DR.. Dragos
protest, and the feeling OF resentment en-
gendered had not been lessened by the de-
cision Of the august Hague Tribunal-the
packed court" as they called it. on the
ground that the judges represented only
the great creditor nstions-adverse to vene-
zuela.
The United States had returned only
most cautious and discomforting reply TO
DR.. Drago's note in the shape OF q re-
minder to her sister republics that the
Monroe doctrine shielded their territories
against final annexation to European pow
ers, but would not protect them against
any lesser action by their creditors. The
president of the Argentine Republic re-
fused to accept this construction of inter-
national relations and made DR.. Dragos
declaration the subject of special endorse
ment in an annual message to the Argen-
tine congress and since 1902 this doctrine
has been discussed in every South and
Central American capital.
There was no lack of opposition, and
notably Brazil. through her semi-official
newspaper press, combated the Argentine
proposition, being herself on good terms
anxious to avoid the submission to
European tribunal of doctrine essentially
American in application. The Washington
government also was not willing at the
time to commit itself TO the Drago doctrine.
There were many Americans owning con-
cessions in South and Central America and
the West Indian republics, and possessing
bonds of those republics, whose holdings
might be cancelled at the within of any
revolutionary president, were forcible col
lection made an impossihility.
The discussion OF this important question
was academic and without special signts-
icance until it was suddenly, last winter.
thrust upon the committee on program.
composed Of representatives of the prin-
cipal American republics then in session AT
the state department, considering the sub
jects 10 be submitted to the Rio conference.
The nrst proposition was embodied in ar
ucle ~. of the program in these words:
A resolution recommending that the Sec
ond Peace Conference at The Hague be
requested 70 consider the extent TO which
the use OF force for the collection of puhIic
debts Is admissible.
But not all Of the republics represented
were willing 10 admit that it VAS right 10
use any degree Of force; a bitter contest
ensued 10 the secrecy OF the committee
room; In this case the diplomatic room AZ
the State department. and finally a COM
promise was reached by the insertion OF
the words Whether, and If at all" iust
after the word consider in the original
article.
But some OF the South Americans are
still Of the opinion that this question
should not be permitted 10 come before The
Hague tribunal in any shape so a spirited
contest is probable as the Rio conference
discusses this proposition. In fact, DR..
Drago, the putative author Of the doctrine
bearing his name, refused 10 represent his
government in the conference, because II
was proposed to submit this American doc
trine TO The Hague tribunal
Expansion of CaIvO'S Doctrine.
The Drago doctrine lie said by pubHcists
TO be merely an expansion OF the Calvo
doctrine, dear to the hearts OF Latin-Amer-
leans, but never engrafted upon interna-
tional law. In its essence that doctrine
was a declaration that any claim against
| a nation by a foreign citizen, or even a
| foreign government, must be adjudicated
by it's own courts and under no circum-