Evening star., 1914-04-26
THE ANGL0-FRENCH ENTENTE.

Monroe doctrine" he writes. so curious
ly imposed by the authority Of tina
United States. and that Bismarck char
acterized as a chef d'oeuvre of imperd-
nence."
At this moment when the Monroe
doctrine is being frequently discussed it
may prove interesting to follow an author
who takes no pains to concede his dislike
of a doctrine which is very near to the
Americans S soul.
April ., 1893, when French army
crossed the Pyrenees to intervene in the
re-establishment of the
Ihe Monroe Spanish monarchy, Can
noo+r; ming was foreign secretary.
and addressed Richard
Rush. American minister, to learn IL the
United States would join England in the
declaration that while neither of the Two
powers had any intention of seizng the
Spanish colonies, it was not possible for
them to contemplate European powers in
teresting themselves in their affairs.
Rush replied that the United States would
regard as highly unjust and as fertile
In disastrous consequences any attempt
on the part OF European powers to TAX.
possession of Spains colonies. either hy
conquest. cession or on any pretext what
ever. When Rush's letter was read hv
the American secretary and communi-
Gated to President Monroe the latter sub
mitted it to Jefferson and Madison, giro
counseled that it should be submitted for
consideration to the cabinet.
The cabinet approved and President
Monroe in his annual message to Con-
nounced the three principles now recog-
nized as constituting the Monroe doc
trine. The United States would not in
terfere in the interior affairs of any
European power: il any European
power should interfere in the affairs
of any point of that hemisphere with
the intention of controlling their des
TIMES the United States would objec,
The United States denied that any OF
the American governments should he
colonized by any European power.
The author of the article England
Unknown" declares that this doctrine
may have been justifable in the be-
ginning. but that il is no longer so.
leo. England and Spain Joined their
forces to those of France. When Aus
tria and Belgium sent contingents to
Maximilian the Monroe doctrine was
not considered and il the threats of
the United States weighed in the de-
cisjon of Macmillan neither France
nor England bowed before that arro-
CANT doctrine"
Further the author declares that in
1895 in the question of the delimitation
of Venezuelan frontiers there arose a
difference between England and the
Secretary of State. Mr.. Olney. The lat
ter. with the appreciation of the Presi
dent. maintained in his memorandum of
July. 1895, that the United States was
practically sovereign on the continent
Lord Salisbury for a fact admitted .hc
point made by the American Secretary
yet England adds the author pos
sesses in the Dominion of Canada an
empire of 3.653.946 square miles a
surface nearly equal to that of Eu-
rope"
1t so happens that the Monroe doctrine
was the subject of discussion on the even
ing of the 22nd instant before the Amcr~
can Society OF International Law in
washington. Senator Root. president of
the society, in his opening address on
Tho Monroe Doctrine reviewed its his
tory and declared that it had never varied
or been modified since formulated i'm IS2:
as contended by some students of interna-
tional law.
Senator Root declared that the need Of
the Monroe doctrine by the United States
was absolute.
Inc Need OF 1T is plain that the
the Doctrine building of the Pan
ANA canal greatly &C.
centuates the practical necessity of the
Monroe doctrine as it applies to all the
territory surrounding the Caribbean or
near the Bay of Panama. The piainest
lesson of history and the universal iudc-
ment of all responsible students of the
subject concur in declaring that the po-
tential command Of the route to and from
the canal must rest with the United
States and that the vital interests of the
nation forbid that such command shall
pass into other hands,.
Senator Root amply proved his PROPOSE
ton. and his argument up to his point
was conclusive. Unfortunately, Senator
Root added a point that may not be ap-
plicable. He said:
Certainly no nation that has aceuieseed
to the British occupation of Egypt will
dispute the proposition
Senator Root has been misled. No ma
ton for a fact has acquiesced to the Brit
ish occupation of Egypt. Since 1882. near
ly thirty-two years, England, in violation
of solemn pledges annually renewed, has
declared she was going to evacuate. The
great powers of Europe and America ac
credit representatives to the khedive. hut
submit to the pretentions of the British
consul general. The Anglo-French treaty
of 1904 admitted only the partial acqui-
escence of France to the British occura-
ton England. however, has declared as
late as 1911 that she meant to evacuate
Egypt
Besides, between the status of tile Suez
canal and the Panama canal there is no
analogy. The Suez was built by France
and Egypt against Englands opposition:
the Panama was built by the United
States and is essentially an American
construction and an American affair.
Recurring to the visit of the British
sovereigns to France, King George and
Queen Mary were offered brilliant din
ner at the Elysee the evening of the olst
In offering a toast of welcome President
Poincare recalled the warm reception
given him last year by the I.ondoners.
The visit of the sovereigns of England
was the conservation of an old friendship
whose efficacy had been shown. En-
land and France are equally attached 10
peace and enthusiastic for progress
A long rivalry between the two nations
had left unforgotten lessons of esteem
and mutual respect. France and Engla nd
had learned to love each other. to bring
nearer their ideas and to unite their ef-
forts.
has become one OF the surest guarantees
of the European equilibrium. The Presi-
dent was convinced that the bonds OF
friendship which now united them would
be frightened with time. to the profit OF
peace and civilization.
King George in thanking President
Poincare for the hearty welcome extend
ed them, said that his visit to London
had left there a most agreeable souvenir
He was happy to ind himself in the
midst of the French people. The accords
resulting from the entente cordialc had
permitted the pacific settlement of ques
tions that had separated the countries
The realization of the aspirations Of
France and England would constitute one
of the most precious bequests to future
generations And the king drank to the
happiness and prosperity of France.
which he loved profoundly and sincerely.