The Washington herald., 1910-07-18
AT THE HOTELS.

Al LIE F1OIELS.
THE Swiss railroads have become ma
sionai property with this country" said
Martin sprosser. of Geneva. Switzerland.
who was seen at the New Willard yes
terday. There are good many people
who doubt whether the operation is sue
eessful The government, however. is max
ing both ends meet, and, in fact already
realizes small profit.
1T has, besides. considerably improved
the condition Of its employees. lowered the
price of the tickets, and combined the
service, and for the great mass OF the
Swiss population this Is an encouraging
result. The transportation system now
belongs to the nation. and is no longer
liable TO be a matter OF speculation on
the stock exchanges Of the world.
THE opponents Of public ownership ex-
patiate on the financial situation" con-
tinued Mr.. Sprosser. And what is that
situation? Were it not for the improve
ment IN the salaries Of the men, It would
be excellent. If il is not excellent, Il is not
bad. and leaves better prospects for a not
distant future. The employees being to-
ing to-day better paid and treated. no
serious fears Of strikes. which are so
common In the United States, loom IN the
distance.
We expect also TO see the hydraulic
force. the white coal. as it is termed
in Europe. supplied by electric means to
certain portions. at least, OF our lines,
and this VIII save a good deal Of money.
In truth the Swiss railroads have been
bought UP in the nick OF time. as. had
they waited little longer, 1t would have
been more difficult, and those who criti-
else their naturalization are becoming
rarer"
Fletcher s. Parker. an attorney Of Chi
cage. IS at the Raleigh. Mr.. Parker, who
Is taking a special interest IN South
American affairs. said yesterday: Ger
many Is supposed to have dehed the
Monroe doctrine by the Emperor sending
a letter Of congratulatlon 70 President
Madriz Of Nicaragua, wishing him sue
cess in the administration of the affairs
Of his country. Then. again. the news
papers assert that Germany is hostile
TO American interests IN South America,
because Germany is doing more business
down there than we are. And yet an
other charge against Germany is that
their travelling statesmen, colonists, and
others who visit the countries TO the
south of Us on business are thrifty and
successful in their specific missions.
Why blame Germany for a thing which
We ourselves are trying TO do. but do
not succeed IN, because OF our superficial
knowledge Of South Americans and care
less treatment?
IN the first place, the Monroe doc
trine. so dear 10 the hearts OF Ameri-
cans, after all. has never been recognized
by even one European power. and the
nations Of this hemisphere, TO all Of
whom the Monroe doctrine is supposed
TO afford protection, are not anxious 10
avail themselves Of 1t. A declaration IS
easily enough made. but in order 70 have
IL recognized as binding il must have the
consent of the powers affected thereby.
Il declaration without such consent can
only be enforced by physician force; and
doubt very much whether the United
against a first-ciass foreign power or a
combination Of powers.
The Monroe doctrine is obnoxious IN
the eyes OF ali Europeans. and TO bring
about a combination OF those nations 70
defeat it at the oppoTtune moment would
be an easy matter. At any rate If we
expect foreign powers 10 stay away from
this continent and allow the United
States 10 attend 10 their business, then
we must he consistent and stay away
from foreign countries and permit them
10 attend TO their matters.
1T would be a good idea II the Ameri-
cans took lesson from the Germans in
the way OF promoting their interests in
South America, instead OF finding fault
with them. 1t would be a foolish gov
eminent, indeed, that did not take ad-
vantage. Of opportunities wherever they
presented themselves, and Germany Is
doing that"