New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-26

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The Tribune IN referring cditorially
to the Monroe Doctrine. in its issue of jan
uary 10 used the following words; Inc
Monroe Doctrine binds US to assume respon-
sibilty to European countries for wrongs
done in Mexico to their nationals, since we
have told them that we should regard 1t as
an unfriendly act if they attempted TO exact
redress by military intervention"
There is embodied in this statement pop
ular conception Of the Monroe Doctrine which
is at variance with the official position OF the
United States government in matters affected
by this policy. In Che famous statement OF
President Monroe there IS nothing which
hints at an obligation TO protect the inter
ests of the subjects of European powers in
other American states lie laid down the
principle that Cd "the American continents
are henceforth not to be considered as sub
Jet for future colonization by any European
power; (2) "that we should consider any
attempt on their part to extend their system
TO any portion of this hemisphere as danger
Gus to our peace and safety
The United States stands as the guarantor
of the political and territorial integrity of
the Americas. Neither under Monroe nor at
the present time has it stood between an
American and a European power when ;he
latter has had grievance against the former,
unless the only way in which that grievance
could be satisfied involved the permanent
seizure of American territory or a change
in the form of an American government.
r.
roe Doctrine the broadcast possible interpre-
tation, declared that "an aggrieved nation
can without interfering with the Monroe Doc
trine, take what action it sees fit in the ad-
justment Of its disputes with American
states, provided that action does not take
the shape of interference with the form of
government or of the despoilment of their
territory under any guise,' and again, "we
DO not guarantee any state against punish
ment if it misconducts itself, provided that
punishment does not take the form of the
ACQUISITION of territory by any non-Amer-
lean power"
The instances in which European powers
have enforced their claims against American
states directly and by measures Of force are
numerous. Great Britain blockaded Near
aqua in iS42 and again in 1874. and Salvador
in 1851. Some years later that same power
went so far as to seize Brazilian vessels as
an act of reprisal. Spain made the
states of the west coast OF South America
n 1865. and bombarded Valparaiso. At that
time Secretary Seward made the statement
;hat the United States would not intervene
m wars between European and American
states unless they are pushed to the political
point"
In more recent times (l90D Great Britain.
Germany and Italy blockaded the coast of
Venezuela TO force the payment Of claims
which that state refused TO satisfy. A. that
time the German Ambassador took pans 10
inform Secretary Hay that under no cir
cum tances do We Germany consider in our
proceedings the acquisition or the permanent
occupation OF Venezuelan territory" This dec
laration was satisfactory 70 the United States
and no objection was made to the use Of
force against Venezuela.
The United States has not assumed respon-
siblity for the failure of the Latin-American
states to meet their obligations 10 European
powers. except in the cases where adequate
redress could only be secured by the powers
through measures which would lead 20 a
permanent occupation of territory. When in
the opinion OF foreign states such measures
are necessary to get satisfaction, then the
United States considered itself TO be under
obligation to see that the just demands OF
these powers are met. since it has objected to
the use OF these measures by the foreign
states. In order to prevent foreign inter
ventlon in Santo Domingo which might result
IN permanent occupation, the United States
in 1905 agreed to administer the customs in
such way as to satisfy the claims of the
European creditors. The action which was