Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-03-18
SAVED MONROE HOCTRINE
EXECUTIVES ACTION WAS TAKEN
BECAUSE OF STRESS OF
CIRCUMSTANCES
PREVENTED INTERVENTION
THIS couNTRY's POLICY TOWARD
MEXICO PRESERVED BY
THE DEAL


Washington, March 1S.-The broad
charge that President Wilson determ-
ined to ask congress to repeal the
Panama tolls exemption as conse-
quence of his recent conference with
Sir Lionel Garden, British minister to
Mexico, and that the presidents ac-
ton was the elimination of negotiae
tions with Great Britain for the pres
ervation of the Monroe doctrine,
threatened by the MEXICAN situation,
was made in the senate today BY Sem
ator Jones, republican OF Washington
He was speaking on his pending reso-
tuition calling on the president for full
information on the tolls controversy.
Senator Jones intimated that re-
peal Of the tolls exemption was the
price Of non-interference m Mexico
by other foreign powers.
He further declared that sit is re.
ported ais one Of the conditions that
Great Britain seek reparation on its
losses through confederate bonds is
sued during the civil war a plan
sanctioned by this government under
which, il successfully applied, the
burden Of reparation viii fail on the
southern states" For that report
Senator Jones hinted, developments
had shown there was a basis.
what il the foreign policy that re-
quires such humiliating, cowardly.
craven action on our part?" the sena-
tor demanded What are the deli
cate matters that demand this hui
initiation, this price? Have we be-
come so inert, SO weak, SO supine, so
servile, that the Monroe doctrine must
be sustained and invigorated by the
very powers against which it was in
voked? Are we so weak or SO en-
tangled In the meshes of our owmdi-
plomacy that the demands of England
based on the selfish interests OF the
Canadian Pacific Railroad company
must be granted, right or wrong?
Have any nations besides England OBJ
jected to the legislation it is proposed
to repeal? These are questions that
must be answered to the satisfaction
Of the American people"
Senator Jones quoted from Presi-
dent Wilson's prediction speechesi in
an attempt to show that the chief
executive then favored the exemption.
Senator Jones argued that a repeal
would be q great economic blunder,"
that it would benefit the Canadian
Pacific railroad, Canadian interests
and the transcontinental lines, and no
other, and harm more or less every
other interest in this country. He
contended that the exemption contra
Vened no treaty obligations, either ia
letter or in spirit and. therefore, no
question Of national honor was in.
volved
THE presidents message. said
Senator Jones, is not only remarkable
for the lack Of facts, dearth Of reason
and sublime assurance Of the school
master that the boys will do what he
wants, but It is more remarkable in
its conclusion. He says:
Z ask this Of you. in support Of
the foreign policy Of the administra-
ton.
What are other matters Of greater
delioacy and nearer consequencesg
THAT this Legislation is part Of an
understanding. EXPRESSED or tacitly
implied, relating to Mexico. Is shown
By the words Of the message and BY
the circumstances surrounding its de-
livery. 1t has been repeatedly an
nounced that no message would be
sent to congress on the tolls question.
A British subject was murdered IN
Mexico by rebel authorities. whom
Great Britain does not recognize. Our
position prevents Great britain from
entering Me3ieo The British minis.
ter haa a long conNfence With the
president ana Immediately TIE news