New-York tribune., 1914-11-28
Monroe Doctrine Would
Not Justify u. S. Protest,
EX-PreSident Asserts.
NO ANNEXATION BY
GERMANY, HE SAYS
Stewards Words in Chilian
Case Cited-MeXiCan
Policy Raped.

only violation OF the treaty, he says,
would be il the Kaiser attempted 10
annex Our Lady OF the Shows. or would
take any measure having similar ef-
feet there. In illustration, Mr.. Taft
cites as a precedent Secretary Sc
wards declaration in the case of war
between Chilli and Spain.
"A question which has arisen in re-
spect to the present war Is whether If
Germany or Austria or Turkey, with
whom England is now at war, were to
send naval and military force TO Can
ada, TO take Canadian ports and wage
war upon the soil Of the Dominion,
this would be a violation Of the Mon
roe Doctrine and would be something
against which that doctrine would re-
quire us to protest" he said last night,
while speaking on "The Monroe Doc
trinc," to The Outlook Club, Of Mont.
clair"
1T seems 20 me clear" Mr.. Taft said,
from the history which have given
Of The Monroe Doctrine, and from Sec
retary Stewards declaration in the case
of the war between Chill and Spain,
that consistent pursuit Of the policy
would not require US TO object TO any
warlike measures under the rules Of
lawful war which Engiand's enemies
might take against Canada
Canada Aiding Allies.
Canada is already furnishing sub
stantial military aid to Great Britain
and the Allies. She has sent a body Of
10000 men. of well equipped soldiers,
and is preparing more and intending 10
send them On that theory, therefore,
could we justly object to Germany's
taking counter measures and carrying
the war into country which is waging
war upon her?
"All that the Monroe Doctrine would
require Of us would be 70
insist that when the war is over, If
Germany were successful. she could not
take over the territory OF Canada and
overthrow her government and estab-
lish her own there, or take any op-
pressivc measures which would have a
similar effect. But we could not cb-
ject to her eyactine an indemnity If
she were the victor"
The reference to Secretary Stewards
policy related 10 the Chilian-Spanish
war. just after the American Civil War
At the time Mr.. Seward held that the
United States would observe strict neu-
tralty, and would not assume to pro-
tect any government in This hemisphere,
either by defensive alliance against
Spain or by interfering. unless in the
end Spain tried to force its own gov
ernment upon a conquered people or TO
annex any territory.
Censures Mexican Policy.
The former President discussed the
Mexican situation a, some length. and
said, so far as "watchful waiting" was
Owe have neither watched nor waited,
but have, in fact, most hastily inter
yencd, and thus find the present an
archy charged as the logical conse-
quonce Of our policy.
European governments could have
gone into Mexico without violating the
doctrine" continued Mr.. Taft, "but they
if you will allow me a colo
quial expression, to let Us skin our
own skunk give credit for fullest
sincerity to the present administration,
but, as ! said in my Carnegie Hall
speech. we are now nearer the need for
mediation than ever before 1t was a
doubtful counsel of perfection 10 at
tempt to establish an eligible list for
President Of another people, especially
when we disclaimed any intention TO
control their choice. and when the re-
suit Of our mcddling must be mere
substitution of one bood-stained
ruler for another in a country in which
death or fight is the recognized pen
atty for political defeat
1--WE could have waited year, just
as President Hayes and Secretary
Evarts did, before recognizing any one
as President.
1--WE lifted the embargo on arms. We
took Vera Cruz. the chief financial sup
port Of Huerta He was a poor choice
Of rotten apples, but he was more likely
to retain a vestige of order than the
others. have expressed the hope that
Carranza and Villa, whose success the .
had made probable, .
would Justify the preference. The pres
ent state Of affairs, am bound to say,
greatly shakes that hope.
zone trouble is that many OF the
European nations who recognized Huer- .
ia can now turn tc as and say, You did
this. and now you must assume the bur |
den My hope is for some general who
can knock out all the others and bring
a strong remedy TO make for peace and /
order
"In the choice we made between
Iuerta. Carranza. Villa and Zapata,
existing conditions seem to indicate
that we made Il mistake. Huerta's sup
posed completely in Madero's taking-of /
could hardly be a greater disqualified /
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