The San Francisco call., 1913-07-17
/ bandOn Monroe Doctrine? No

H Mr. Bryan, as secretary OF state must soon
= learn that there are some duties of his Office
: which are practical Matters OF gravest moment
are dependent on the words and acts OF an Amer
lean secretary of state.
Other nations will not be satisfied merely by
the presentation to them OF diplomatic projects like
the peace plan proposals. admirable asFthey are.
They want and have a right to ask for assurances
from this country which will enable them to deter
mine to their own satisfaction their own best
in protecting the lives and property OF their citizens
in other countries.
is for such purposes as this that nations exist,
and have the diplomatic intercourse with other
nations which require the officer and the full per-
:formance Of his duties, who in this country is
called secretary of state and in othercountres is
called secretary for foreign affairs or by similar
titles 81
That the condition Of affairs in Mexico is worse
than it has been since Porfrio Diaz became pres
ident has been obvious to the country, and cspe-
cially to San Francisco, where every steamer that
arrives from the south brings refugees, both Mex
lean and foreigners. each Of whom has tale Of
horror or Of destruction, or both
Ii is not surprising, therefore, that even Great
Britain our best friend among the nations and ad
nittedly in behalf OF the concert OF nations press
ing. our state department for declaration OF its
intentions toward Mexico
There. is. no reason why foreign nations should
show this courtesy to the United States except for
the invarlable policy Of this nation under every
administration for nearly century, known as the
Monroe doctrine.
Heretofore this government has declared insist
entity, and all nations have tacity though never
formally accepted its declaration that the United
States win regard as an unfriendy any attempt
ON. the part of European powers in any manner to
control the destinies OF governments on this hem
lsphere where independence has been recognized
by this government.
Owing. to this declaration and to its further: ex-
tension under Mr. Roosevelt the other nations OF
the world have looked to this country TO act it
has been said as the policeman Of the American
continent. i:
Ever since Mr. Nilsson has become president
and. Mr. Bryan secretary of state there have been
indications that the Monroe doctrine is not to
ceye such strong support. as it always has hitherto
! had
Dilatory tactics will no longer suffice. shilly
SnaIY, goOdy gOOQX ldlk ana evasion OF nNe ISSUES
will put this nation back instead OF ahead. The
Wilson administration will have to come out flat
looted and make positive declaration OF its Mex
lean policy Heretofore this nation has never re
lnained inactive SO lar as its Mexican policy is
cerned so long as this ADMINISTRATION has done
Ii it IS considering abandoning the Monroe doc
trine and intends to disclam any international Re
sponsibities at the present moment it will do we'll
first to do as other administrations have done, take
the nation into its confidence before acting.
For man who was so vociferous for pitiless
publicity in public affairs the president is running
the government into greater secrecy than any OF
his predecessors. To be sure Mr.. Bryans silver
tongue is Changing most OF the time away from
Washington when he is needed there; but oratory
in some matters IS no more effective than blasts OF
hot air.
It can hardly be possible that even Mr.. Wilson
and Mr. Bryan would really consider abandoning
the Monroe doctrine, and intend to LET England,
Germany or Japan undertake to strike blow at
Mexico with the mailed fist If they should have
a1v such intention they will hear from the nation
loud and emphatic no.