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Show THE CITIZEN which brought prompt and satisfactory results. Expressed in a dramatic, even a theatrical form, it impressed itself with singular power upon the imagination of a barbarin ruler. How Roosevelt dealt effectively with a civilized and mighty na-tion is illustrated by his passage at arms with the kaiser. Germany had established what it called a peaceful blockade of Venezuela, using a strong squadron of the German navy. When Roosevelt heard of it he summoned the German ambassador and gave Germany four days to end the blockade. The ambassador returned the next day and said that the imperial government did not regard four days as long enough. You havent four days ; you have only three, said the President. On the following day the ambassador reported Berlin as saying that three days was not enough. . You havent three days ; you have only two, replied the President? And I wish to inform you that the American fleet is on its way to Venezuela with instructions to dissolve the blockade. When Admiral Deweys fleet arrived in Venezulan waters the blockade had already been dissolved. Irresolution, pacifism, letter writing have been substituted for the forceful and effective foreign policy of other days. A -- . SNEERING AT MONROE DOCTRINE their enthusiasm for the League of Nations the supporters of the IN are beginning to sneer at the Monroe doctrine. It is out of date, they say. If it ever had any value it has ceased to protect our interests. It well may be abandoned. If it had not been for the Monroe doctrine Japan would have acquired Magdalena bay and established herself on the Gulf of California only a few years ago. Because the doctrine was still cherished by our people the United States Senate took cognizance of Japanese maneuvers to obtain Magdalena bay and issued a formal warning to Japan to keep hands off. When President Wilson, upon the occasion of his first return from the Paris conference, was accused of having sacrificed the Monroe doctrine he declared grandiosely that the doctrine had been extended to the world. It is significant, however, that the Wilsonites seem to have lost the old American affection for the Monroe doctrine. They brush it aside as if it were useless in the new world arrangement. And it would be useless if the League of Nations could interfere in our domestic affairs, exercising its covenanted right to deal with any question that might lead to war. Theodore Roosevelt, in the last article written before his death, warned us that we are in honor bound to keep ourselves so prepared that the Monroe doctrine shall be accepted as immutable international law. PRESIDENT AND SHANTUNG IIE President was deeply disappointed at being forced to abide by the Shantung agreement, but he thought that it was the best he could do. He wishes us to understand, however, that it would not be true to say that the compelling influence was Japans threat not to sign the treaty unless the Shantung deal were incorporated in it. The agreement was reached, says the President, because we thought it was the best that could be got, in view of the definite engagement of Great Britain and France, and the necessity of a unanimous decision which we hold to be necessary in every case we have decided. Senator Pomerene suggested that if the treaty failed of ratification Japan would have Shantung practically at her mercy, whereas of rjf it were ratified China at least would have theTomoral assistance this the President the powers for the protection of her rights. assented. But what is it that China is to have back? Simply the vague thing called sovereignty. The commercial concessions, the mines and railways are all to belong to Japan. . 5 Perhaps the situation can be expressed more clearly by a simple mathematical formula. If we take Shantung as representing 100 per cent and conceive of sovereignty as amounting to 10 per cent, Japan is to retain 90 per cent of Shantung. She promises to give back the 10 per cent if China will agree to surrender the 90 per cent. Lately. Japan has taken the position that if China refuses to sign away the 90 per cent Japan will not agree to return even the 10 per cent. The moral suasion of the league, therefore, would be directed toward obtaining 90 per cent for Japan and 10 per cent for Japan. If this formula lacks precision it is due to the fact that sovereignty represents more nearly 1 per cent than 10 per cent. The sovereignty of the United States would be practically valueless if England, for. example, owned all our railways and mines and the chief industries. . . . i UNION JACK WAVES OVER PERSIA have been denouncing the unspeakable Hun and WHILE wepraises of Great Britain, that redoubtable protector of small nations, it appears that she has been engaged in absorbing Persia. Here was one small nation that had not been assigned to the protecting care of Great Britain by the league of nations in Paris. There was no reason to assign even a mandatory to act as guardian, Persia not having been involved in. the war except in the role of a doormat. Great Britain wanted even the doormat. We are told that she needs it as a buffer against Afghanistan, which is about as sound an excuse as that which the profiteer sometimes facetiously gives for his banditry the excuse that he needs the money. We are told that while the powers counseled together in Paris how best to protect the small nations and how they could best divide them up among mandataries, Great Britain went quietly to work to establish a protectorate over Persia of the kind she established over Egypt years ago. When the war came the British lion annexed Egypt smacked her lips and roared for more. h With more than of the globe in her possession, with much of Africa and many of the Pacific isles newly acquired, Great Britains hunger for territory was still insatiable. The absorption of Egypt had taken place before the adoption of Article X of the covenant and had become a part of that territory of the British empire which Americans are required to respect and preserve. And what of Persia? If Great Britain decides some day to annex Persia in the old European fashion of let him take who has the power will not Article X require us to preserve Persia to Great Britain? At all events, Great Britain has already placed a lien on the property which she expects to claim and which she expects us to preserve for her. .When .our people, in their generous idealism, looked forward to a League of Nations which should establish justice and maintain peace, they fancied that the great powers of Europe had been converted from the historic policy of conquest and spoils. They fancied that the Europeans had come to share with them the crusading spirit which was to make the world safe for democracy. But they have been disillusioned. First, they were shocked by the ugly Shantung affair and now they find Great Britain still engaged in swallowing up small nations. . one-fift- OUR FRUGAL MILLIONAIRES SOME of our rich men who have been profiteering arc resorting to of hypocrisy of which Captain Kidd would have been ashamed. The other day one of these gentleman arrived at a seaside resort in California and modestly stated to. a reporter that shoes and clothes that was wearing his last seasons outfit, or something to that effect. Here was an attempt to preach frugality to the victims of profiteering, but the lesson lost its force because the millionaire Chicagoan the hero of the tale had absentmindedly were so high-price- d he |
