Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-09
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

In last Saturdays issue there APP
peared In this column an historical
outline of the interventions by Ameri-
can forces in foreign countries, under
the administration of President Wilson.
This outline was occasioned by the Sc
we're criticism in the Democratic plat
form, and by the candidate, against the
present administration intervention IN
Nicaragua to maintain our interests &C
uuired through the Bryan-Chamorro
treaty giving us the right to construct
an interoceanic canal across that coun-
try. The fact that Republican admin
Istration dares to do what a previous
Democratic administration had done re-
peatedly. and to maintain treaty rights
of Democratic origin, supplies ground
for protest by today's would-be sue
cessors to the Wilson toga. Yet in the
eagerness of the opposition to CRITICIZE
the Coolidge policies, the critics appear
to have failed to read even Democratic
history or the legal authority Tor inter-
ventions and armed protection TO Amerl-
can citizens and American properly
rights in foreign countries. 1t is evident
Candidate Smith consulted Secretary OF
state Lansing concerning precedents
and international law. Cited: Haiti,
Santo Domingo and Panama: also Mex
leo might be cited in similar 1rterYen-
ton and invasion under MessrS. wilson
and Lansing. It is not the intent mere
in to bubble about those Democratic
precedents-that service 1?) appears TO
have been amply covered by the avowals
of the Democratic platform and candi-
date.
From official records of the Depart
n1ent of State it is found that prior 10
the Wilson administration, against
which Candidate Smith is now so vigor-
ously opposed. there were 46 nterVen-
tions by force. beginning in 1871 against
Amelia Island and in 1917 against
snanish Florida. with three invasions of
china (the last in 1900 on account OF
the Boxer rebellion). 1t will not be for
gotten that after the Civil War Gen.
Grant threatened to invade Mexico
against the Macmillan usurpation, that
threat being clearly based upon our
Monroe Doctrine, but most OF the otner
interyentions were to protect our rlgnts
where there was no actual danger to
the Monroe Doctrine forb1dding en-
croachment in this hemisphere by a
European power. Nor forget Cleveland S
ultimatum to Great Britain TO quit
Venezuela. In the present Nlcaraguan
intervention our act was taken by agree
nnent and request OF both the Nlca-
raguan government and the leaders o.
the rebellion against that government:
n is not a high-handed assumption or
American imperialism. as inferred. oy
the critics, who promise, in case gwen
the responsibility, never again 10 pro-
feet American citizens or property IN
foreign nations. The promise OF su-
pineness comes in contrast to mat nus
torical order, IF any man undertakes
to haul down the flag, shoot him on the
spot!
There is a rare book in the Depart
nent of State, which has recently Deen
resl1rrected from lost archives. Only.
single COPY has been found; no copies
exiSt in the Library of Congress, for II
Is cruelty alleged that the three copies,
once there. have all been carried on oy
Concressmen-an improved SANDER per-
hans for no Congressman interested IN
such lore would take away such VOL
une. in a manner unbecomlng a Con-
gresham liable to court-martlai and
discipline.
The book is entitled Right to Protect
Citizens in Foreign Countries by Land
ing Forces" Memorandum by the So
licItor. 1t was compiled in the State
Department and printed october 3, 1912,
under the administration OF President,
now Chief Justice Taft.
*k X
on page the solicitor says;
IAN examination of the authorities ap-
bears quite clearly to show that one State
may, without giving just cause for OF
Tense to another State. thus 1nterpose
in favor of its nationals resident IN the
other State; and there Is not little
authority. fol. the proposition that su iSla
intervention by the one State as against
the other is matter of right. and, in
deed. duty.
1.-THE whole subject has been clouded
by the fact that this intervention mas
not infrequently been seemingly regard
ed as actual intervention in the inter-
nal political affairs of another state
and, for that reason. has, as principle
fallen under the severe structures which
various writer's have passed upon SUCH
intervention"
To diverge for the sake of bringing
home the issue. Washington police are
charged today with invading Maryland
mile or two in chasing and arresting
bcotleggers fleeing out of the District.
Shall the District of Columbia be up
held in Wilsonian imperialistic inva-
sion of foreign nation" or State, or
disciplined according to Gov. Smith?
Much seems involved IN this doctrine
of State rights, corrupted into National
RIGHTS Are not the rights OF fleeing
bootleggers sacred? Who are Haitians
and Nicaraguans arrogating American
protection not granted to America-born
bootleggers under the shadow of the
Capital and White House? Down with
Imperialism! Will President Coolidge be