The Washington herald., 1914-05-26
THE OPEN FORUM

AIG V16N EVROuAs
Mexican Situatioa Suggests Two Sides
Of the Monroe Doctrine.
To the Editor: History does not indi-
cate that any national custom Of advan-
tase will be easily given up, and where
the custom Is rooted In conditions mold
ed by social and international actions
ana reactions. change ID resisted with all
the strength Of the organism.
Without going back to that day when
the golden rule was set for the final un-
doing Of the practical man." our DEM
ocratic revolt from British rule may be
taken as the beginning Of a new form Of
governmental organixation-the modern
republic-which now obtains formally in
many countries without, however, some
essential conditions which lie at the foun-
dation of the government Of the United
States and are. believe. ineradicable-
conditions which are not appreciated by
foreign peoples. and which have led
through the Monroe doctrine to the pres
ent situation between this country. some
foreign empires and the contending por-
tons or states Of Mexico. corrolary
of the rule laid down by our FIRST Presi-
dent-to avoid entanglements with for
eign countries-this doctrine was well
founded to prevent foreign interference
with the conditions involved in our plan
OF government. toward which he justly
anticipated that the eyes OF all the
crowded nations Of the Eastern Cont
nent would be directed in the not distant
future
There are two provocatives of foreign
interference. One involves that feature
OF the Constitution Of the United States
which correlates the ruling forces Of the
central central and state governments and
pugnant to the principles upon which a
monarchy Is established. The other is
that old and valued custom of monarchies
to prey upon weak countries, whether by
force of arms or by chicanery. taking
their lands or property through devious
ways Of colonization or concession to re-
heve a home condition of surplus popula-
ton or capital-such custom usually ad-
vancing as an entering wedge a citizen
Of the monarchy living as an alien in, or
otherwise exploiting the resorces and
benefits of the weak foreign country with
more or less satisfaction. But. when loss
befalls, unwilling to submit to the con-
ditions and customs involved. the appeal
of the alien to his own government brings
reprisal. war and confscation. No breeder
of war was ever equal to the alien in
business in a foreign country.
When our administration put this mat
ter plainly before the world in assuming
as a principle that a citizen of the United
States shall accept the laws and customs
of a foreign country, as a condition pre-
cedent to its business facilities and op-
portunities, without recourse to the war
ships Of his home government for reprisal
in case Of loss, il was a great advance
and heralded a future pregnant with
hope for the peace of nations on this
continent. and entirely in accord with the
genius OF our Constitution.
As our government is unique, and op-
posed at many angles to monarchies, which
have grown old and set in their ways. so
must our Constitution stand or fail
through our own conduct and entirely
without advice or precedent from other
countries: as much wisdom and firmness
being required to hold to and defend its
beneficial working as that great contract
of States required In the original writing
Involved essentially in the Monroe doc
trine. there is no sufficient reason why
this principle shall not obtain on this
continent to the enhancement of peace
and contentment in all the countries
thereof. Troubles and difficulties must
arise through the influence OF foreign
forces Of expansion and customs of ex-
ploitation. and through the influence of
an idea that this great republic is actu-
ated by similar forces and customs-an
idea not altogether objectionable in view
of past unhappy experiences in Mexico.
So must We convince not alone Mexico.
but all other republics of this continent
that the United States. under Democratic
government at least, has no selfish
Interior object in Its policy. For either
shall We satisfy them of our fraternal
interest. or we shall be ourselves con-
vinced that our government is founded
in sophistry-our Constitution a vain and
impotent document.
Surely the power and dignity of the
United States are safe with the very
able and patriotic men of Congress. and
with the wise master who is our Presi-
dent, whose hands all should uphold in
this most difficult but most important
undertaking for the benefit of the dis
tracted Mexican commonwealth, il We
would preserve on this continent the
favorable conditions of life il is we'll
fitted to bestow. 1t is a real crisis in
volving an opportunity of lasting advan-
tage II not frittered away through our
vanity and through misunderstanding the
basis of these conditions, political free
dom from that overcrowded continent on
the other side of the world. which is only
awaiting an occasion not alone TO destroy
the conditions. but also TO so change the
character of the citizenship that its
glorious history shall he lost-drowned
in the rush OF discordant races and peo-
pies.
Yet must We remember that the Monroe
doctrine has two sides Strong and COM
petent to safeguard the countries of this
continent. in their relations with each
other and toward the rest of the world.
when combined with principles of ma
tional honor and equity in the mind and
heart of the American citizen-the foun-
dation of the Constitutional is of little
or no value as a preteXt for the advantage
OF the United States alone.
With whatever excuse monarchies may
have had. or may have, In exploiting
other countries for their own benefit
we have nothing to do. 1t is sufficient
that We stand against such exploitation on
this continent. and will admit no pretext
therefor either in our own case or in
that of any other nation. For the demo-
cratic government established herein is
of honorable origin and equitable charac-
ter. and is entirely consistent with the
spirit which obtains between civilized
individuals in ordinary conduct. a prime