Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-01
AFTER ANOTHER POWER
Suspicion Entertained in Some
Quarters Strengthened.
COAL FOR MERCHANT SHIPS
State Department Officials Refuse to
Discuss Pending Question
in the Senate.

assuming Tue same dtIltuOe toward the
pending resolution regarding the Monroe
doctrine which il has toward the bill
prescribing the terms on which the
Panama canal shall be used by American
shipping. the officials of the State Depart
ment absolutely decline to enter into any
discussion of the subject pending before
Congress. The department has told all
that il knows regarding the efforts of an
American syndicate 20 sell the lands
surrounding Magdalena bay to japanese
interests. and the officials declare that
II is now up TO Congress to make any
changes in the we'll defined policy that
has governed the executive branch in its
construction of the meaning OF the Mon
roe doctrine
The department takes the ground that it
has not failed in the past to apply
promptly the doctrine. as it saw fit. to
meet the issues raised in every par
ticular instance. But IL has never under
taken to define that doctrine exactly as a
general principle of interna tionai law
long line Of Secretaries of State holding it
the part of wisdom TO allow the principle
certain degree of f1exibility to meet the
developments of each generation. Thus.
1t is recalled that when Secretary Knox
was urged by the promoters of the sale
or the Magdalena bay lands 10 place the
disapproving the project he declined to
do so.
Suspicion Strengthened.
The opinion being officially entertained
tnat the japanese government has no pur-
pose of seeking to control Magdalena
bay. at present at least. the action Of
the Senate committee on foreign rela-
uons at this time. when there appeared
to be no tangible issue in sight has
strengthened the suspicion felt in some
quarters that the real target of the Sem
ate resolution is not Japan. but one Of the
great European powers. which has been
advancing with giant strides to a rank
ing place among the great maritime
forces of the world. As necessary part
of the extension of its various steamship
lines into the seven seas that nation has
acquired privileges at various ports for
coaiing Its merchant ships 1t is true
that nowhere does that government
figure the tituiar owner of the coal
located in the western hemisphere. But
these coaling facilities are owned by
mercantile lines. which are generally SUBJ
sdized so that the ships are available as
part of the naval force of the govern
ment in case of war.
May Involve Long Negotiations.
Ostensibly called forth by the unsuc-
cessful negotiations for the transfer of
the Magdalena bay tract to Japan, ii is
said to be conceivable that the resolution
reported by the Senate committee would
apply in full force to the acquisition OF
coaling privileges. involving the posses
sion of tracts of land on American soil,
by any of the established European
steamship lines, IL the Monroe doctrine
is affirmed in the shape in which il ap-
pears in this resolution Immediately there
VIII arise the important question as to
whether or not the declaration is retro
active in effect. On that decision may
depend prolonged and difficult negotia-
tionS with the European powers whose
commercial interests are involved