Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-08-30

Henry A. Wise wood. chairman of
The committee Of national prepared
ness. sends the following conversation
concerning our national defenses.
held recently with = leading lawyer
of New England. which Is sufficiently
illummatiKe 20 clear mp existing
doubts of the wisdom Of our presery-
ing the Monroe doctrine as ma
tional policy.
I'm the event Of the fragrant yiola-
tion of the Monroe doctrine by a
strong European power what steps
] asked. Edo you hold we should
tuke?"
None. he replied Il do not
believe IN The Monroe doctrine, and
think the American people are tired
Of M We have responsibilities
enough ~ home without going abroad
for others We should bee content TO
live within our own four walls All
that we require Is that we be left alone
TO attend Go our own affairs.
do you mean this literally2"
asked
Il do; why should We bother with
the affairs of our neighbours Ii isn't
our Job 10 protect them let them
take care OF themselves
do You include an OF our neigh
borH. Mexico among the rest?'
II DO, that country Is a nuisance
What business is il Of ours who rules
ID. $40 long as Il behaves itself
"You would have no objection, then,
to the occupation OF Mexico hy % Eu-
rupean power. with, say 100000
trunps?
"Weu. I shouldn't like that
"True. but would you advise our
acting to prevent it, were il imml-
nent 3'
Yes. I suppose should assurcdly,
We do not want a foreign army at
our doors
edo You. then wish 10 withdraw
your objection 10 the application OF
the Monroe doctrine TO Mexico
Yes. / think ln the case Of Mexico
the doctrine ls necessary. but ! should
let its application end with Mexico.
'How about the countries 70 the
south Of Mexico. between Mexico and
the canal2"
Blank the canal; ] wish we hadn't
built 81 IL Will get us into lots Of
trouble before we're through.
yes. but we have built it and
We've asreed TO Keep IL am open neu-
trail scaway for am users, ana Tor that
purpose have constituted ourselves
les aimed police Now. are you VIII
ing That the army Of occupation
which You would not permit In Mex
leo should be allowed 90 establish
itsolf between Mexico and the canalt
"No. I shouldn't Say that. we
must be secure as far as ne Canal
Zone at any rate
Then, YOU believe the Monroe doc
trlnc should cover the territory be-
tween ourselves and the canal
Yes"
Won whore. exactly would You
now draw tine line
AT the far edeo OF the Cana Zone
there it should stop
What. them would YOU advise our
doing did am ambitious European
power lime up lbs army but ten miles
beyond the canal within heavy sun
range 20 lts prism and works
wouldn't be seem necessary IN that
ease that we huve in the zone an equal
army ut our own Aud u We ha0n =
would not the absence NJ such q re-
tanning force constitute q virtual sur
render Of the canal into the hands OF
the other ade2
wen. we've fortified the eanal.'
Yes. against ship fire an Us ap-
prouches. but not az an against an
investing army Nor Is the protective
area at either side sufficiently wide
ta prevent thr dropping of heavy
shells into the canal from outside,
That az course. eouldnt be per-
mittcd; I admit that we must pro-
teet the canal at an hazards. and os
far south as necessary
Then. ] take N yuu would wish 70
maintain the Monroe doctrine down
o. limo sufficiently remote go assure
the canal against an invading army
lusi whore. Ia central or South Amer
lea. would YOU place that line. i'm view
90 the celebrity of present day military
travel and transport
n can't SAY. precisely
Well suppose Ii be drawn across
Rraal Tor Instance, and we assent
10 the occupation az the territory be-
vond h. How should we assure me