The Meeker herald., 1917-04-14
MEXICAN REPUBLIC
1t Owes Its Very Existence to the
United States.
A MONROE DOCTRINE VICTORY

A MONROE DOCTRINE VICTORY
A. . Tins When We Had Treublss Of
Our Own We Said "Hands om!' -
the Powers Of Europe That Trisd -
Raiss . Monarchy In America.
II 1t had not been for the United
States there would now be no republic
of Mexico.
Like all the twenty republics south
of US, Mexico has been under the pro-
lection of the Monroe doctrinS. The
doctrine has been often questioned by
European powers, but only once has
serious attempt been made to violate
It, This was between 1861 and 1885,
when the United States was engaged
in internecine warfare that imperiled
Its very existence. Just as soon as our
war broke out the warships Of Eng
land, France and Spain set sail for
Mexico and took possession Of Vera
Cruz. Secretary Seward notified the
three allied powers Of our deep concern
and anxiety for the security and well
fare of the Mexican republic AMI that
our fleet would be stationed in the gulf
of Mexico to look after our interests.
England and Spain soon withdrew.
but 1t became evident that Napoleon
III. intended to overthrow the republic
Of Mexico as he had the republic Of
France. A fictitious empire was forced
upon Mexico by French troops, and an
Austrian archduke. Macmillan, was
selected as the puppet sovereign. The
French invasion was directed against
all the republics Of the new world. It
was prophesIed In Paris that in ten
years every South American republic
would be converted into a monarchy
and the United States into a dictator
ship.
The hands OIL the American govern
ment were tied, but the voice Of the
American people could not be silenced.
In the midst Of our own war, when
war with England seemed imminent,
the house of representatives risked
war with France by passing a vote Of
100 to nothing that at does not accord
with the policy of the United States
to acknowledge any monarchical gov
eminent erected upon the ruins Of any
republican government in America un-
der the auspices of any European
power"
Nothing more could be done Mt the
time, but just as soon as our war was
over General Grant proposed to organ
Ice an army Of combined Union and
Confederate soldiers who would volun-
teer to march to the City Of Mexico
| and fho Austrian M
selected General Schofield to enlist
troops for service on the republican
side Of Mexico. The war department
gave General Schofeld a leave Of alb
sence for year. with permission to 90
beyond the limits Of the United States
and to take with him any of his stat
officers that he wanted. In the mean
time Grant sent Sheridan to the Rio
Grande with $1,000 troops. which were
distributed along the frontier, where
they threatened the French lines.
But fortunately force was not neces-
sary. The show of force was sufficient
and Schofield was sent to Paris to ne
gotiate for the retirement Of the
French troops instead Of into Mexico
to drive them out. The secretary of
state notified Napoleon In November,
1865. that the United States "still re-
gardsd the effort to establish perma-
nently foreign and imperial govern
ment in Mexico as disallowable and
impracticable." AS the emperor Of the
French did not seem disposed to pay
any attention to this Mr.. Seward set
a definite date for the withdra wal Of
the French troops
The Mexican republicans under Jua-
rez had been keeping up brave fight
for freedom, although Macmillan had
ordered all of them shot whenever
caught. without trial or the possibility
of pardon. As soon as the United
States had compelled the withdrawal
Of the French the republicans were
able to overcome the imperialists with
no official assistance from the United
States. Their victory was marred by
the unnecessary execution of the would
be emperor In spite Of the Interpolation
Of Secretary Seward.
But the United States had to say
Hands or to Austria as well as to
France. Rather than have an Austrian
archduke ANONYMOUSLY dismounted
from the throne 1t was planned to ship
10000 Austrian troops from Trieste to
Vera Cruz. But our minister at vien-
ma. Mr.. Motley. was told by Secretary
Seward that If Austria allowed a sin.
gle soldier to embark for Mexico the
United States would break or rela-
tons ut once. The Austrian govern
ment saw the point and prohibited the
shipment Of the troops enlisted for
Mexico.-New York Independent.
What Il IL That VV;n.