The Washington times., 1912-04-03
FOREIGN RELATIONS
COMMITTEE SILENT
. ON MAGDALENA BAY
Session Held, But No Men
ton Is Made of Lodge
Resolution.

The Senate Foreign Relations Com
mlttee was In session today, but did not
take up the Magdalena bay question.
This was due to the absence OF a num-
her of members and to the fact the
President has not vet replied to the
Lodge resolution asking for infokmationi
about the reputed settlement of jap
anese OH the coast of Magdalena bay
or occupation of territory in some form
there by Japanese interests.
That the maintenance of the Monroe
doctrine is getting more and more AN
acute problem for the United States Is
a subject of growing comment about
Congress. The fact is dawnIng on Con-
gress in connection with the Mexican
problem, with all its .vexatious angles.
Within the last several DAYS there has
been a good deal to emphasize the
troublesome nature OF the Monroe doc
tr!ne. .-rs p .e- ,.,.
The passage by the Senate yesterday
afternoon If the Lodge resolution call
ing on the Administration for inforna-
tion on the reported concession to
Japanese company OF n coalins station
on Magdalena bay has given point to
the truth, OF what Is here set forth
about the Monroe principle.
Would Not Tolerate 1t.
1t Is not seriously questioned about
the Capitol that this country cannot for
a moment look on .quiescently If Japan
has actually gained a basis on the Pa
cific coast. Magdolena bay is in such
close proximity TO the Panama canal
and has such patent strategical advan-
tages that for Japan to have coalinS
station there would put the American
navy at an obvious disadvantage.
Senator Lodge, in recent Senate
speech on the arbitration treaties, as
sumed that IL sucn a thing came to
Tene. In view of his important posi-
ton on the Foreign Relations Commit
tee his utterances at the time were
given great weight, but not as much as
his resolution of inquiry.
In plain English. il II is found that
Japan has by hook or crook got a
coalinG station on Magdalena bay. the
disposition of Congress will be 10 put
there cannot be any mistake as TO
what it means. It requires no magni-
living TO perceive that this thing. "
;tllc facts are ns reported, is extremely
dangerous and nigh become a cause
Of war between the United States and
Japan. -.
Hut the NLaSdalenA bay matter is
only one of the. questions that indi-
cate how the maintenance of the Mou-
roe doctrine is getting constantly to be
a bigger problem. In the first place,
the closer the Panama canal gets to
completion. the mora imperative it be-
comes to this country to see that the
Monroe doctrine is q fact and not a
theory. On tho other hand. there arc
some indications of a determination on
thc part Of other nations tc break 1t
down. .., <
= Resented By Germany.
Germany is one OF The nations tina.
has always resented the Monroe doc
trine, aiid latterly there have been nu-
mcrnus unpleasant rumors about the
attitude GERMANY was assuming with
reference to the protection of her sub
.jects in MeXi2o. A great deal of talk
JS going the rounds. the exact bottom
to which has %hus for not been sound
ed, that Germany has given this coun-
try to understand IN effect that if the
Tinted states is going 10 adhere TO tn:
Monroe doctrine it is up to her to Sc.
that the lives OF foreigners are safe in
Mexico; otherwise, Germany will look
out for the welfare of her own people as
When 1t is considered that Germany
is seemingly only looking for an ex'
cuse to make few dents in the Monroe
doctrine it Is clear that this is phase
OF the Mexican situation which thi:
country cannot overlook and that may
in the long run be the fector that will
cause American troops to be sent across
tne DorQer.
Course Would Be 0minous.
Only the other day in the Senate In.
teroceanc Canals Committee, Colone
Goethals was questioned by the com
mittee about reports that England pro
posed heavy strengthening of fortifica'
tions at Kingston. OF course, this Is
British territory and England can dC
as she wishes In this matter. At tho
same time, such a course, which, a!
Colonel Goethals said had been recon-
mended by Sir Ian Hamilton, would b'
omnous of trobule for American pre-
dominance in the Caribbean and Wes
Indian region in the future.
Nor do these phases of the situation
respecting the Monroe doctrine TAX
into account other perplexinE phases
that are arising farther south. in Soutl
, America. There several foreign ma
tions are looking on with longing eye
and seemingly looking for a chance Il
gain a lodgment when Uncle Sam Is no
looking.