New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-09
OUR FAILURE IN MEXICO
What We May Expect if We Refuse to Do
Our Duty Under the Monroe Doctrine
To the Editor Of Tho Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In his annual message 10 Congres. in
1923 President Monroe enuncisted the famou,
doctrine which stated that "the American con.
tinents. by the free and independent condi.
tions which they have assumed and main.
tain, are henceforth no. 10 be considered As
subjects for colonization by any European
power. With the existing colonies and de.
tendencies Of any European power we have
not interfered. and we shall not interfere.
but with the governments who have declared
their independence and maintained II, and
whose independence we have on great con-
siderstion and just principle acknowledged.
We could not view any ilterposition for ii.
purpose Of depressing them, or controlling
in any other manner their destiny, By any
European power, in any other light than as
the manifestation Of an unfriendly disposi.
ton toward the United States"
! How much a part of international law this
doctrine has become is a very difficult matter
to determine, but certainly IL has neither
been formally accepted by any great power
nor affirmed by Congress. Yet the average
American assumes, If he considers the matter
at all, that the principles therein outlined
are Of divine conception and hence inviolsbl.
By any foreign nation.
An Old Chapter in History
The folly Of such belief and the worth
lessness from a practical standpoint OF the
aforementioned principles, unless backed BY
adequate force. is amply illustrated By
little known chapter in history, recalled
wildly to mind by the recent death Of En-
peror Francis Joseph.
Following the revolution OF 1885, Louis
Napoleon was elected President OF France
and, backed by his army, rapidly assumed
the role Of Emperor. Wishing to distrae. the
minds of Frenchmen from mismansged poll
ties and shrewdly taking advantage OF the
Civil War and the consequent inability OF the
Federal Government to protect its foreign
! interests. he sent an army Of conquest to
! Mexico. The professed object OF the e1pe
.dition was the assurance Of adequate protee-
ton for his subjects and properties in tina,
country. The French captured Puebls and
/ in 1853 established as Emperor Arehduke
Macmillan, son-in-law of Leopold OF Bel
giun and brother of the late Francis Joseph
Considering the excellent diplomatic rels-
tions maintained between France and Great
Britain during this period, il is probable that
the latter country, hoping for the dissolu-
ton Of the Union, secretly Endorsed Napoleon
in this infringement Of the Monroe Doctrine
The idea Of a foreign Emperor in place OF
their President, Juarez, was particularly dis
/ tasteful to the Mexcsns, and during the
years OF French occupation they were IN
open revolt against Macmillan.
! However. the attempted empire did not
II long continue, for, after the declaration OF
neace at Appomattox in 1865, the United
States, whose hands were now free, notified
| France that the continued presence OF her
armies south of the Rio Grande was detr-
mental to the best interests OF this country
and Mexico, and hence requested their imme.
date withdrawal
| As at this period the United States pos
sessed an impregnable navy and wsr-hard'
ened army, large portion OF which was sent
70 the border under Sherman TO enforce the
American demands, Napoleon was obliged 10
acquesce and his troops were recalled.
Macmillan, deserted by the French, on
whose support he had relied, was captured,
perfunctorily tried for treason and executed
at Queretaro by order Of Juarez.
Thus. due to the ability of the United
States to translate its words into deeds, the
peril OIL Il EtHSu Atb Oii Eh'4S'fN~N $780,
was averted.
Forty-eight Years Later
But. forty-eight years later, new storm
clouds we're gathering along this countrys
southern frontier These clouds had their
origin in the reign Of Porfrio Diaz, who was
more successful than any other Mexican
ruler in developing his country by the grant
ing of valuable foreign concessions Undef
governmental guarantees Of protection large
amounts of European capital were invested
Following the abdication of Don Porhrio, tne
assassination of his successor, Madero, snd
the retirement Of Huerta, anarchy reigned IN
Mexico. Foreign investors whose lives and
properties were endangered, and to whom the
| Monroe Doctrine denied aid from their home
countries, looked to the United States for aid
! How we acquitted ourselves In our self
assumed duties; how, instead OF defending
foreigners, our feet at Tampico was ordered
TO sea and our own people had TO take refuge
on English and German warships, is now past
history. ~
This generation has refused 10 read "ths
writing on the wall" and those familiar Win
the trend Of events prior to the beginning oil
the European war have little doubt that e1'
cent for the outbreak Of hostilities on the
Continent one or more OF the nations therein
engaged would have intervened In Mexico
and. on the excuse OF re-establishing law
and order, brought about that which the
United States had been unwilling 70 accom-
plish.
So while blind luck steered us between the
rocks Of great crisis, the necessities OF inc
European conflict have caused Mexico ana
Mexican affairs to assume a new ana WA
Importance in the eyes OF one OF the gre"
participants. r..
The feet being England's fret line OF oe'
fence, whose crippling would mean her ann,
hilation, II is understandable that she voul'
20 to any length to assure the safety OF ".
Tampico fields and the continuing OF the'
supply. Should the German thrusts IN me
Caribbean ever carry home, in consequences
Of our failure in sclfassumed Obligation.
she can have but one course-the sendlng o.
feet and an expeditionary army 10 MeneO
and Selling that portion which is Necessary
for her very life.
While such a step would be direct ensF