The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-07-23

es the broader Calvo Doctrine. which
absolutely condemns diplomatic as well
as armed Intervention as a method Of
|, enforcing any or all claims of q pc
cuniary nature, or at least such rs ore
based upon contract or are the result
of civil war, instruction or mob vio-
lence. Calvo' takes this stand on the
claim that he European nations have
followed with their dealings with Anne
rican states q different rule or pr!nci-
pie from that which has governed
their relations with each other. he
points out that turing the greater Tart
of the nineteenth century. at least In
%tervention in Europe always rested
upon important l. -'Htple of internal
politics. such as the Ualance OF power.
or Upon some great moral religious
interest favorable tn the development
of civilization: while In new world
the interventions .C European states
have rested upon no legitimate priaci-
pies, being basel 1.cn mere force aid
a failure 10 recognize the complete tree
dom of independence of America
states.
The conclusions reached by S.no-
Calvo are these: ! The principle OF
indemnity and diplomatic interven-
ton on behalf of foreigners for inju-
ries suffered in case of civil war has
aot been admitted by any nation OF
Europe or America.
2. The governments of powerful na-
lions which exercise or impose this pre-
tended right against states relatively
weak, commit an abuse of power and
force which nothing can justify and
which is as contrary to their own legis-
lation as to the International practice
and political expediency.
In his message of December 5. 1905,
President Roosevelt pronounced him.
self emphatically in favor of the ORA
go Doctrine. After calling the attention
congress TO the enbar as meUt hat
might be caused 10 cur government by
the assertion by foreign nations of the
right t o collect by force Of arms Con-
tract debts due by American re ubtics
to citizens Of the collecting nation: md
to the danger that he process 4 con-
pulsory might result in the permanent
occupation of territory, he said:
Our wi government has always
refused to enforce such c~ontTactual OBJ
legations on behalf Of the citizens by
an appeal to arms. 1t i much 10 be
wished that all foreign 80 ern rents
would take the same view" 1t was
n this spirit that ne instructions were
penned for the guidance Of the repre-
sentatives OF the United States at he
third Par-American Conference. But
even here it wa. admitted .tat The non-
garments Of deb ny p -C-oNnan-
led by sch circumstances of .laud and
! wron=G@jnS II vicIl.i0n r , e ties as
&c justly tte use o. force.
4 was added that ia i-ve. nment
WOuli be glad TO So. az inl,-na ional
confederation OF the subject which
shall discriminate tetween such cases
and the simple non-perttrmance of a
contract with d private person, and a
resolution in favor of reliance i.pon
peaceful means in cases Of the latter
J class.
1t was not felt, however, Lat the
conference at Rio should undertake
70 make such discrimination 0 to re-
: cOJ,-o ,,nOn c,,ob ~ xnIo NIDrt 90 ~
American countries are still debtor
nations. while the countries of Eu-
rope are the creditors. Had tie Rio
conference aiken action of the kind in
dicated il would have had tire appear
ance Of a meeting of debtors Ies w.
ing how their creditors h "uld act,
and this, as Opr government pointed
out, would not have been calculated
10 inspire respect. But, even fail
ing some satisfactory action at The
Hague, the United States would lie Jul
IL justified in declaring formally to
the world thai it could not see with
indifference n attempt at the forci-
be collection OF private claims of a be-
cuniary nature On the western CONT
rent.
This could De lone with the greater
2ropriety, inasmuch as it is Ihs posi-
icn Of this Country that alTsuch claims
likely to furnish the ground of forcible
Intervention. be submitted 20 fair and
impartial arbitral tribunals or mixed
commissions composed cf 1c,~csrnta-
tives from both the creditor and d b.
or nations.-JOu,n2 of Ccruercs.
e