The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1914-01-15
America Against Europe.

many have combined their financial
and diplomatic influences against the
United States is viewed with surprise
by some American newspapers, and
with incredulity by others. But what
is strange about it? What is more
natural than such combination. We
have the United States and those nat
ions in common where foreign trade
interests are concerned?
1t is 10 the mutual interest Of Great
Britain and Germany, and perhaps
other European nations, TO enter into
combinations against the United States.
Not all Of them will combine, for there
would not be sufficient inducement on
the part Of smaller nations, and con
ficting interests would keep them
apart. But it is perfectly plain that
the interests CT the United States are
not those Of Europe and we must face
the fact.
The vital interests Of the United
States require the enforcement Of the
Monroe doctorine. The interests Of
Europe dictate the violation and break
down OF the Monroe doctorine. Europe
is evidently determined to break it
down. No one nation can do this, but
they hope to accomplish this by power
full combinations, working in secret,
and string up animosity against the
United States throughout Latin
America.
The United States must look out for
itself. The maneuvers Of certain
European nations can 60 unheeded.
Combination is a game at which two
can play. Instances are not lacking
in the history Of the United States in
which this country has taken hand
in combination with its friends in order
to check the moves Of its opponents.
Why should Europe look with
friendly eye at the rise Of gigantic
new power, organized on basis that
is destructive OF the European system
and backed by resources and energy
that enable it to carry the war into
Africa?" Is it not natural that Ger
many should be alarmed when Ameri
can manufactures force their way into
the German home market2 Is it sur
prising that Great Britain, staggering
under the burden Of huge naval ex'
penditures and trying to hush up her
starving unemployed By doing out pen
sions, should try to reach an under
standing with Germany The United
States has no law Of primogeDiture. no
orders OF nobility, no law Of entail. It
does not set apart class Of the people
10 rule over the others. Its rulers are
chosen BY its own people, and they
are set aside at will. It has no kings
and courts to support. The general
welfare Of all is its ideal, and this
general welfare is secured through
development and commerce. The
new tariff and the currency law are
moves made by the United States to
secure the welfare Of its people, without
regard to Europe; indeed, these laws
are a challenge to Europe, warning
that the United States is preparing to
enter the world field Of business and
battle for its own advantage. The aims
Of these laws, in President Wilson's
own words, are TO put our business
men and producers under the stimuli
alton of constant necessity to be
efficient, economical, and enterprising
master Of competitive supremacy,
better workers and merchants than any
in the world" He speaks OF effect
i've competition, the whetting Of Ameri'
can wits by contest with the wits ol
of the rest Of the world"
Hand in hand with the domestic
preparations for this commercial
struggle is the foreign policy Of the
United States. The Panama Canal was
built for the benefit Of Americans, and
Europe may az well realize this truth
now as later. The Monroe doctrine
which Senator Bacon 6tly describes al
"the unwritien constitution Of tht
United States," is potent weapon o
defense, ard If need be, Of oHense,
weapon which the United States vii