The Washington herald., 1909-11-21
b. RrnoLPH De ZAPP.


Count Won Bernstorn's recent speech al
Philadelphia. in which he declared that
there IS not the slightest intention on the
Part OF Germany to get territorial foot
hold I'm the western hemisphere. which
practically amounts 90 a formal recog-
milton Of the Monroe doctrine by the Ger
man Emperor. has stirred up considerable
discussion among certain German news
papers. one OF which is especially severe
I'm its comments on Count Won Bern
storn's -"genufection before the Monroe
doctrine"
IT recalls Prince Bismarck's qualification
OF the doctrine as most incredible Amer
ican impertinence' and adds that no
German statesman ought ever be allowed
TO acknowledge the Monroe doctrine in a
public speech on American soil.
But that IS just what Won Bernstorn
has done he adding that the Germans are
we'll aware OF the Monroe doctrines po-
sltlon and did not in the least wish for
territory on the western hemisphere.
Why this superfuous assurance and rec
IGNITION OF the Monroe doctrine which il
implies? II irresponsible papers talk
about German intentions in Brazil be-
cause the German element happens 10 be
strongly represented there. there IS no
good reason why the German Ambassa-
dor should make cbeisance 20 the Monroe
doctrine and sOlennly declare that Ger
many would not violate II for the world. 20
This. however. is not the first time that
the Monroe doctrine has received the Sc
rious attention OF the German govern
ment II was in 1901 during the troubles
in Venezuela. when English and German
war ships tried 10 collect certain debts
which were due TO some Of their respec-
tive subjects. President Roosevelt in a
speech delivered in Chicago. called atten-
ton to the difficulty and took opportunity
to declare that under no circumstances
would a European power he permitted 10
make territorial acquisitions on this hem
isphere.
The German Emperor has before this
however. declared that he had absolutely
no territorial aims in this direction. With
regard 70 this President Roosevelt said:
His excellency the German Ambassa-
dor on his recent return from Berlin con-
veyed personally to the President the as
surances of the German Emperor that his
majesty's government had no purpose or
intention to make even the smallest ac-
QUESTION OF territory on the South Amerl-
can continent or the islands adjacent
This voluntary and friendly declara-
ton was afterward repeated to the Sec
rotary or state, and was received by the
President and the people OF the United
States I'm the frank and cordial spirit in
which it was offered. In the MONOGRAM
dunn OF the 18th OF December his excel
lency the German Ambassador repeats
these assurances. as follows: We de-
clare especially that under no circum-
stances do we consider in our proceedings
the acquisition or the permanent occupa-
ton Of Venezuela.
From this it would seem that Count
Won Bernstorff was perfectly justified in
relterating the recognition Of the Monroe
! doctrine on the part Of Germany and
that that part Of the German press which
has such violent criticism OF the Ambas-
sador's action should learn to abide by
the action and solemn pledges Of their
| sovereign
And what is, then, this Monroe doc
| trine which seems TO keep all the world
awake whenever questions Of American
supremacy on this continent are dis
! CuSSe0. III INC hDlOH VI me Nun aolAA
w Foster. it did not. like Minerva spring
! ing full-armed from the brain OF Jove,
have its origin in the pen Of President
Monroe I'm 1923. but it was the outg-owth
| OF the nations development and gradu-
ally assumed the form In which II finally
| appeared In his message. The Declare
| ton Of Independence breathed its spirit.
A suggestion OF II Is found IN the writ
| ings of one or more of our public men
before the organization Of the govern
ment under the Constitution. II Is nee
| essary corollary OF Washington's Fare
we'll Address. During Jefferson's admin
| istration he announced in his correspond
ence the principle OF European noninter-
vention In the affairs OF Cuba and IN
1870 he suggested 10 a South American
| gentleman that II might be applied 10
the rising states of that continent.
/ The occasion of the PRONUNCIATION OF the
doctrine was the attitude OF what is
known as the Holy Alliance, coalition
OF Russia. Austria. Prussia, and France
to maintain mOnarchical institutions.
These allies had sent large army into
Spain and By force restored the de-