New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-13
CRITICISM
AND BOOK NEWS
The Monroe Doctrine and Pan-Amercanism-
Pictures Of War in Russia and the Balkans
Some Recent Plays.

PrOfcSSort Hart put TINS very Clearly IN
his recent book 1.-THE Monroe Doc
trine An lnterpretation"), in which he
said:
In congress Of sovereign pow
ers, each equally Independent, every
one claims 20 vote as unit on
general questions; but the United
States will never consent to be
outvoted, even by = majority Of
twenty republics TO one, on any
question Of defence and assurance
of her future in the world. So far
the A y c have not been admitted
to the confidence OF the United
States, beyond giving advice. For
the United States is no reader to
yield TO a vote OF three TO one than
twenty to one. Some kind
of doctrine may be worked out
which contents both the United
States and the A b c powers; but
doctrine which does not also
please the small states is only the
old Monroe Doctrine over again.
II is a rule of action laid down for
them by outsiders for the ad-
vantage of those outsiders.
There is one way in which the Mon
roe Doctrine may be sensibly modern
lied. That is in admitting that 1t has
lost most Of its meaning so far as the
three leading South American powers
Brazil, Argentine and Chili-Gre con-
cerned. These three Will soon be
strong enough to protect themselves
through a union OF their own against
European aggression. The backing
which they expect from US now IS
moral rather than physical. We have
at present no vital interests political
or econOmic-in the southern half OF
South America. We can therefore well
afford TO see the A 3 c states set up
for themselves, and can afford TO admit
their primary interest in the region
which they dominate.
Our relations with them will natu-
rally be different from our relations
with the other Latin-American coun-
tries, more within our economic and
political sphere. The construction of
the Panama Canal has given the
United States a direct and vital inter
est in the future Of the West Indies,
Mexico, the Central American states,
Colombia, Venezuela. Ecuador, and pos
sibly Peru. Toward these states our
policy has been modified materially by
the permanent investment we have
made in Panama.
President Wilson and Secretary Lam
sing are willing to tal6 Pan-American-
ism. They mean little or nothing by
their talk When the pinch comes they
are not ready to practice Pan-Ameri-
canism. While they have been nego-
tiating a Pan-American treaty they
have also been violating the first prin-
ciples of Pan-Americanism by forcing
d protectorate on Hayti and another
protectorate on Nicaragua. Even in
Mexico they have been pursuing an in
termittent policy of Intervention, while
denying any intention to intervene.
Mr. Sheriff. is enthusiastic over the
results of the two recent Pan-AmeTi-
can mediations in Mexico. Mr.. Wilson
got into Vera Cruz in 1914 and didn't
know how 10 get out again. He be-
sought the A 3 c powers TO extricate
him from his dilemma. The net result
of the Niagara Falls conference was
10 give him an excuse for evacuating
Vera Cruz. A year later he served an
ultimatum on Carranza, demanding that
the latter retire from the Provisional
Presidency and agree not to become a
candidate in the election for President
which was to follow. Carranza refused
point blank. Then six Latin-American
powers were Cdllcu al W uldht II pOo-
sible for our government TO change
front and recognize Carranza.
In these two cases Pan-Americanism
was appealed TO by the Wilson Admin
istration 10 cover up defaults in the
formulation and execution of a purely
American programme Mr.. Wilson had
no clear idea of what he wanted 10
accomplish lie would not protect the
rights of Americans in Mexico or apply
the Monroe Doctrine in protecting the
rights Of Europeans domiciled there.
His ruling passion was TO escape re-
sponsibility, to avoid uncomfortable
effort. So he sought a determination
by Pan-American action Of questions
which should have been dealt.with by
the United States alone, on basis
Of purely national interest. These two
experiences show how futile and mis-
chievous 10 is 10 abandon our historic
attitude Of complete responsibility for
the Monroe Doctrine and TO depend on
Pan-American concert for the settle
ment Of problems arising within our
now extending well below the Panama
Canal Zone.
Mr.. Sheriff. is at least logical In the
pursuit of his ideal of Pan-American-
ism. He wants the United States TO
sell the Philippines and TO renounce all
interest in the future of Asia. With
the proceeds from the sale Of the
Philippines he would buy up all Euro
pean possessions in America Canada