Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-09-11
DISTRUST OF THE u. s.
Our Course in Panama Not Forgotten
to the Southwark.

(FrOm the Boston Herald.)
Mr.. Dubois. our late minister to Colon
bia, returning to the United States at
Blakeslee of Clark University, returning
from the tour of South America which
he took with the representatives of our
Boston chamber of commerce, have both
been giving us at the same time rather
startling reports Of the sentiment toward
the United States which they find pre-
vailng in South America. largely as a
result OF the course by which we secured
our foothold at Panama and our refusal
to arbitrate our dispute with Colombia
over the questions involved Prom the
Caribbean to the Straits of Magellan"
says Professor Blakeslee. there Is fear
that the United States plans in due sea-
son to conquer and annex all the remain
| ing countries to the south Of us" and
Mr.. Dubois report Is essentially the same
| Both men agree in the Judgment that un-
I'll this matter is righted in some way
! the United States will be looked upon as
a ruthless conqueror by the peoples of
! atin-AmerCa Now comes Rev. Peter
| Mcqueen back to Boston. also from a
| trip through South America and in an
informing and thoughtful report of his
impressions he says: "The one offence
these republics have against the United
States is the Monroe doctrine They say
to the Yankees: Either we are strong
enough to do without your protection. or
we are not strong. If we are strong
enough, your Monroe doctrine is an in
n CT n',uIn &
a menace-for you are Just waiting for a
chance to gobble us up yourselves
These three reports. all written entire
ly Independent Of each other. and all OF
the same tenor, should certainly make
some Of us ait up and take notice.
Whether the feeling in South America
is justified or not, and we think 1t ex-
agGerated. Its existence is somethlne
which does not bode good to this coun-
try; and our best craftsmanship should
address itself resolutely to its removal
by doing whatever ought to he done. A
concerns the Monroe doctrine our first
, business is to ask ourselves whether we
; are in earnest in claiming that we still
continue to assert and maintain it out OF
a sincere desire to protect South Amerl
can liberties from the agEressions Of Eu-
ropean tyrannes, or whether in truth VS.
are only using it as a specious plea by
which to maintain for ourselves the larg.
est possible monopoly OF influence ant
opportunity in South America and keeT
away others who might in some way
menace our own interests and safety
The former considera ton was the origina
ground of the Monroe doctrine and is the
only legitimate excuse for its contin.
uance. To whatever the degree the sec.
ond consideration has become prominent
or potent with MS, to just that extent tn,
: South American republics are warranted
in accusing US of hypocrisy and suspect
ing us.
This issue has now got to be squarely
and fairly met, with the truth clearly
recognized and lived up to. Tho issue hai
probably never before been so distinct,
and ably stated as by Professor Hiram
Bingham in his recent article in The At
, lantic Monthly upon THE Monroe doc
trine; an obsolete shibholeth," which ha
been reprinted in the Congressional Rec
, ord at the instance Of William Kent O
California, and is now expa nded and is
sued In book form DR. Bingham Is tn
professor Of Latin-Amercan history a
, Yale University, an archeolog1st of note
and man widely acquainted with DIFF
} ferent races, whose great work in ex
ploratlon has made him especially ia
miliar with the peoples of South Amerc
and their point OF view. There Is prob
ably no living American scholar bette
, qualified by long study and experience t.
discuss this critical subject than Profes
sor Bingham. His noteworthy work I
making profound impression; an,
. whether the enthusiasts about It ar,
. right or not In pronouncing It the las
, word on the subject, there Is probabl
no other word which furnishes so goo
a starting point for the new and NOR
searching study Of the Monroe doctrn
IN It's relation to present world polite
which has now become imperative.