The Washington herald., 1914-03-08
Mexico and Monroe Doctrine.

others containing a measure of logic,
have appeared in print as to just what
matters of even greater delicacy and
nearer consequence" President Wilson
referred to in his appeal to Congress
for repeal of the exemption from tolls
granted American coastwise ships pass
ing through the Panama Canal. Most
of these conjectures hinge in one way
or another upon the theory that repeal
of the exemption will aid President
Wilson in solving the apparently hope
less Mexican tangle without jeopardiz-
ing the integrity of the Monroe doc
trine.
Those persons who are disposed to
accept this view would do well to re-
fresh their memories regarding this
doctrine laid down ninety years ago,
and since accorded veneration as pro-
found as though it were an article of
our Constitution. Here it is, from Pres
ident Monroe's message to Congress,
December ?, 1898:
In the discussions to which this in
terest has given rise, and in the ar
rangcments by which they may termi-
nate. the occasion has been deemed
proper for asserting, as a principle IN
which rights and interests of the United
States are involved, that the American
continents. by the free and independent
condition which they have assumed and
maintain, are henceforth not to be con-
sidered as subjects for future COLOMBIA
ton by any European power. . !"
We owe it, therefore, to candor and
to the amicable relations existing be-
tween the United States and those pow
ers to declare that we should consider
any attempt on their part to extend
their system to any portion of this
hemisphere as dangerous to Our peace
and safety.
With the existing colonies or depen-
denotes of any European power We have
not interfered and shall not interfere.
But with the governments who have
declared their independence and main
tain it, and whose independence We
have. on great consideration and on
just principles. acknowledged, we could
not view any interposition for the pur-
pose of expressing them or controlling
in any other manner their destiny by
any European power in any other light
than as the manifestation of an un-
friendly disposition toward the United
States.
If the menace OF a possible Japanese
invasion of Mexico is seriously con-
templated, it must be conceded, without
argument, that it would be equally an
invasion of the Monroe doctrine, which
the United States would be forced to
resist or abandon the venerable doc
trine, even though there is today no
government in Mexico which we rec
ognize. But if the grave words of Pres
ident Wilson are interpreted as bearing
upon Great Britain's demands for pun
ishment of the murderers of the Scotch
man, Benton, It is not so easy to dis
Germ the doctrine in peril, nor would it
be in the case OF any other European
power demanding protection for its
subjects or reparation for their murder.
Great Britain, for instance, recognizes
Huerta as President of the Mexican
republic, and no nation, not even the
United States, recognizes the belliger-
ent rights of his enemies. Should Great
Britain, therefore, demand of Huerta
that the bandit, Villa, murderer of Ben
ton, be brought TO justice. and with
Huerta's permission proceed to enforce
such demand, the question OF invoking
the Monroe doctrine to prevent it would
seem to be a debatable one.
With no signs of improvement in
present conditions in Mexico the time
may not be far distant when'that ques-
ton will confront the administration.
We are impressed from time to fine