Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-04-18
DOCTRINE OF
MONROE IS
TROUBLESOME
in CONNECTION With MEXICO
President to Send Message
to Senate

problem for the United States is a
subject of growing comment about
congress. The fact is dawning on
congress in connection with the Mex
lean problem, with all its vexatious
angles. Within the last few days there
has been a good deal to emphasize
the troublesome nature of the Mon
roe doctrine.
The passage by the senate recent
the administration for information
on the reported concession to a Jap
anse company for coaling station
on Magdalena bay has given point to
the truth of what is here set forth
about the Monroe principle.
1t is not seriously questioned about
the capitol that this country cannot
for a moment look on quietly if ia
pan has actually gained a basis on
the Pacific coast Magdalena bay is
in such close proximity to the Pana-
ma canal and has such patent STRAIT
egical advantages that for Japan 10
have coaling station there would
put the American navy at an obvious
disadvantage.
senator Lodge, in a recent senate
speech on the arbitration treaties, as
sumed that if such thing came to
pass this country would at once in
tervene. In view of his important
position on the foreign relations COM
mittee his utterance at the time were
given great weight, but not as much
as his resolution of inquiry.
If it is found that Japan has by
hook or crook got coaling station
on Magdalena bay, the disposition of
congress will be to put its foot down
so hard in protest that there cannot
be any mistake as to what it means.
1t requires no magnifying glass to
perceive that this thing, if the facts
are SO reported, is extremely danger
Gus and might become the cause of
war between the United States and
Japan.
But the Magdalena bay matter is
only one of the questions that indi
cate how the maintenance of the Mon
roe doctrine is getting constantly u
be a bigger problem. In the first
place the closer the Panama canal
gets to completion, the more impera
tive it becomes to this country to see
that the Monroe doctrine is a fact
and not theory. On the other hand
there are some indications of a deter
mination on the part of other nations
to break it down.
Germany is one of the nations that
has always resented the Monroe doc
trine, and latterly there have been
numerous unpleasant rumors about
the attitude Germany was assuming
with reference to the protection OF
her subjects in Mexico A great deal
of talk is going the rounds, the exact
bottom to which has thus far not
been sounded, that Germany has Civ
en- this country to understand in eff
feet that if the United States is going
to adhere to the Monroe doctrine it is
up to her to see that the lives of for
eigners are safe in Mexico; other
wise, Germany will look out for the
welfare of her own people as best
she sees fit.
When it is considered that Ger
many is seemingly only looking for
an excuse to make a few dents in the
Monroe doctrine it is clear that this
is a phase of the Mexican situation
which this country cannot overlook,
and that may in the long run be a
factor that will cause American
troops to be sent across the border
Only the other day in the senate
interoceanic canals committee, Col
onel Goethals was questioned by the
committee about reports that Eng
land proposed heavy Strengthening
Of her Notifications at Kingston. OF
course, this is British territory, and
England can do as she wishes in this
matter. At the same time, such
course, which, as Colonel Goethals
said had been recommended by Sir
lar Hamilton, would be OMNIBUS OF
t"ouble for American predominance
in the Ciribbean and West Indian
?egiprs in the future
Nor do these phases of the situation
respecting the Monroe doctrine take
into account other perpleXing phases
that are arising farther south in
South America There several for
eign nations are looking on with
longing eyes and seemingly seeking
chance to gain a Judgment when
Uncle Sam is not looking.
The Japanese embassy here con-
tents itself with calling attention to
.iievious denials Of intent to purchase
Magdalena bay on the Pacific coast
of Mexico, when invited to discuss the
resolution offered in the senate by
Senator Lodge that the president
transmit to that body what informa
ton he has on the matter.
President Taft will soon send to
the senate message dealing with