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

j
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
itan secretary of state.
Other nations will not be satisfied merely by
the presentation to them of diplomatic projects like
the peace plan proposals, admirable as they are.
They want and have right to ask for assurances
from this country which will enable them to deter
mine to their own satisfaction their own best course
in protecting the lives and property of their citizens
in other countrieA
It is for such purposes 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 other countries IS
called secretary for foreign affairs by similar
titles.
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 a tale OF
horror or of destruction, or both.
:: 1t is not surprising, therefore that Great
Britain, our best friend among the nations. and ad
mittedly 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 invariabe policy OF this nation under every
administration for nearly century known as the
Monroe doctrine
IL i. i.
entity, and all nations have tactly though never
formally accepted its declaration that the United
States will regard as an unfrendy act any attempt
@on the part of European powers in any manner to
control the destnies of governments on this hem
isphere, where independence has been recognized
by this government.
" Owing to this declaration and to its further
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
Ever since Mr. Wilson has become president
and Mr.. Bryan secretary of state there have been
Indications that the Monroe doctrine IS not to re-
ceive such strong support 1t always has hitherto
had
Dilatory tactics will no longer. suffice. Shiy
shaly goody goody talk and evasion OF live issues
will put this nation back instead OF ahead. The
Wilson administration will have to come out flat
footed and make positive declaration OF its Mex
lean policy. Heretofore this nation has never re-
mained inactive so far its Mexican policy is con-
ccrned so long as this ADMINISTRATION has done
IL it is considering abandoning the Monroe doc
rine and intends to disclaim any international re-
sponsibiities at the present moment it will do well
FIRST to do 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
he 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
not air.
1t 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 blof at
Mexico with the mailed fist If they should have
any such intention they will hear from the nation
oud and emphatic