The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-04-16

pose OF depressing tnem or control
ling in any other manner their des-
tiny, by any European power. in
any light other than as the manifes-
tation of an unfriendly disposition
oward the United States"
This declaration, together with
the known sentiments OF the British
cabinet and nation, put an end to
any designs which may have been
entertained looking towards armed
interference in American affairs. 1t
was also most consistent with inter-
national rights, and was fully justi-
fed by self-desense. The balance
of power had in such a case no ap-
plicatlon, for that principle is es-
sentially confined to states forming a
circle within moderate distances from
one another, and interference on po-
litical, doctrinary grounds is uu-
righteous. And this declaration has
received the assent of the country.
Accepted By Europe
The positive and patriotic utter
ances Of Presid ent Monroe, when
published in Europe, terminated the
discussion of the proposition to aid
Spain in the recovery of her Amer
lean provinces, and the independ-
ence of Mexico and the Central and
South American republics was short
ly after recognized by Great Britain
and the European Powers.
Although the announcement of
the Monroe doctrine was nowhere
more cordially received and APPROX
ed than in Great Britain, it is an in
teresting coincidence that the first
direct application of the policy it
involves was to prevent the estab-
lishment by that nation of protec-
torate over the Mosquito Nation of
Indians that occupy a tract of land
along the north coast of Nicaragua
between Costa Rica and Honduras.
In lS4S serious differences arose be-
tween the Indians and the govern
ment of Nicaragua, when Great
Britain espoused the cause of the
Mosquitoes, established a protectorate
over them, and forced the Nicara-
guains to recognize their independ-
ence. The British man-of- war took
forcible possession of the port of
Greytown, and fortified the place.
AS this port was regarded as the
terminus of any railway or canal
that might be constructed across the
Isthmus, AMI as the action of Eng
land was regarded as an unjustifia BILE
interference with the affairs of
Nicaragua, the United States entered
an earnest protest, and special
commission was sent to Central
America to make an investigation
and report. The relations of the
United States with Great Britain,
began to assume a threatening as
pect and the correspondence be-
tween the two nations was very ac-
tive and earnest. But the difficulty
was adjusted by diplomatic negotia-
tions conducted by John M. Clayton,
Secretary of State, and Sir Henry
Bulwer, British Minister, who sign
ed, what is known as the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty, (1S50). The shut
fling of cards, Juggling and discus
sions continued until 1859, when
Great Britain signed treaties with
Guatemala, Honduras and Nicara-
qua IN which were renounced the
claims she had made to Central
American territory. With this the
government of the United States ex-
pressed satisfaction.
Friction With Spain
The fertile island of Cuba has also
caused the Monroe doctrine to be
invoked. Early in the century
when Louisiana was ceded to the
United States by France, and Flori-
da by Spain, Cuba was regarded as
an equally natural and necessary ac-
quisition, but Spain declined to part
with SO valuable colony. In 1925
the French government made over
lures for the purchase Of Cuba and
Porto Rica which caused Mr.. Clay,
then Secretary of State, to send a
very positive despatch to Mr.. Brown,
American minister at Paris, in
which he said: with the hope of
guarding before hand against any
possible difficulties on that subject
that may arise, you will now advise
that we could not consent to the oc-
cupation of those islands by any 9th.
er European power than Spain under
any contingency whatever"
This government tried on several
occasions to purchase these same
islands, but the Secretary of foreign
affairs said that; Sooner than see
the islands Transferred to anv o+bor