El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-03-14
Little Editorials By Herald Readers

fences contain an accurate exposition
of the principles or the intent of the
Monroe doctrine. Under this interpre
tation, the United States would be ex-
ercising an absolute protectorate over
these lesser republics, involving its re-
sponsibility for their shortcomings
duty which it by no means assumes
under the obligations of the Monroe
doctrine. The doctrine, as promu1gat-
ed by Mr.. Monroe, was merely an i'm
piled protectorate insofar as the pres
ervatlon of their territorial integrity
was concerned; and in the instances
in which the United States has felt
called upon TO exercise it's power or
influences in the matter this is as far
as it has ever gone.
As the present disturbances in Mex
leo have caused more or less allusion
to this celebrated declaration of Mr..
Monroe, it might be interesting to state
just exactly what led 60 its promulga-
ton declaration which, insofar as
international relations are now con-
cerned. has as much force and effect
as If it We're part Of the law OF ma
lions itself.
In 1921 Mexico and the South Amer
lean republics had thrown off the OPP
pressive yoke of Spain, under which
they had labored and suffered for over
zoo years, and had achieved their in
dependence. Their governments had
been duly recognized by the United
States and other countries. and were
developing considerable foreign trade
OF this trade England perhaps was
enjoying the most lucrative part
At that time the 2nonarchies of con-
tnental Europe were recovering from
the terrible shock of the wars with Ma
n0lQOn TO
more secure the tenure of their thrones
and to suppress and throttle any at
tempt to change the existing order
OF Things by any uprising of the peo-
pie, these countries had all entered
into coalition under the name of the
Holy alliance, under the astute leader
snip Of prince Metternich, the able
and accomplished prime minister of
Austria. Spain, weakened and almost
bankrupt from her long wars. implored
tnem TO assist her I'M a final struggle
TO bring again under her banner these
revoited possessions, and they were
ABOUT TO accede to her requests. which
fact became known to England.
England was not a party to this Goa
lition George Canning, minister of
loreiSn affairs, saw at once that
snouid these powers aid Spain in sub
DUNG her late rebellious colonies the
lucrative trade with these countries.
which England was fast building up,
would slip from her grasp, and pass
again Under the sole control of Spain.
Mr.. Canning proposed to the United
States that the two countries shouIc
unite In a protest against the attempt
OF any outside power to restore Span
ism authority in its American colonies,
John Quincy Adams was then Mr..
Monroe's secretary of state He raa,
lied the wisdom and Importance of the
proposition, but had no inclination to
enter into 1t in the shape as presented
by Canning, and in this Monroe con-
Cured They had no intention Ito
play second fiddle to Great Britain
IN a matter involving such grave in.
terests. A different more effective
as Well as more comprehensive plan,
was adopted. 1t was resolved to pro-
mitigate the doctrine that hereafter no
European power would be permitted to