THE MEXICAN CHAOS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1915, 25 November 1913, Page 7

THE MEXICAN CHAOS.

POSITION UNCHANGED. HUERTA BECOMING MORE AGGRESSIVE. THE MONROE DOCTRINE. Br TelecrAVh —Pregj Association —Copyright El Paso, November 23. There is a report that tho Constitutionalists claim to have destroyed two trains conveying a thousand Federals south of Jaurcz. Tho United States is strengthening her troops along tho borders. Washington, November 23. Mr. Byran denies tho report that lie protested against tho dispatch of tho British warships to Mexican waters. '"Times"—Sydney "Sun" Special Cables. (Rco. November 24, 6 p.m.) Washington, November 23. The Mexican, situation is unohanged. Huerta' is becoming moro aggressive and appears to bo certain that tho Mexican Congress will not permit his resignation. Tho United States Government apparently has resolved not to tako definite action. Leading American publicists aro. strongly of opinion that tho doctrino of ■i'Monroeism" has outlived its usofullicss, and that an allianco with tho principal Latin-American republics would be the most desirable solution of an impossible situation. Tho United States Government is unable to police tho Latin republics, and tho sooner that tho idea is shattered the better for tho reputation of tho United States. The psychological momont for intervolition has passed, and tho residents of Mexico City are feverishly awaiting the next movo, and famine is threatening tho city.

The rebels are steadily advancing, having captured all the railways. Five thousand Government troops are attacking Jaurez. MONROE DOCTRINE. DISCUSSED BY FAN-AMERICAN CONFERENCE. New York, November 23. A Pan-AinericaJi Conforenco at Worcester lias discussed tho Monroe Doctrine. Mr. C. H. Shorrill, ex-Minißter to tie Argentine, suggested that if%he United. States intervened 'in Mexico, other South American, republics sE'ould act in concert. Other speakers urged the abandonment of tho Monroo Doctrino -policy and the adoption of a Pan-American Defence League. Mr. John Hays Hammond declared that he would not invest a single cent abroad while Mr. Bryan was Secretary of State; anyono who made foreign investments was lacking in sense, and* any nation failing to protect its citizens and investors was unworthy of the name of nation.

What is the Monroo Doctrino? Its first terse outline was in Presidont Monroe's Message of 1823: The American continents . . . are henceforth not to bo considered as subjects for future colonisation by any European Powers. 1 This should be read in connection with a longer sentence in the same Message: With tho Governments which have deolarcc! their independence and maintained it ... we could not view any interposition for tho purposo of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny by any European Power, in any other light than as tho manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toiitarda tho United States. The Monroo Doctrino (says the "Outlook") • has proved to be not only a continuous but also a developing policy. In 1845, when the Northwest boundary was an issue, President Polk extended tho Doctrino to includo acquisition by voluntary transfer or conquest of occupied territory. In 1912 it was extended by the following resolution, presented by Mr. I/idge, of Massachusetts, and passed by the Senate:—

"When any harbour or other place in the American continents is so situated that the occupation thereof for naval or military purposes might 'thifeaten ttyo communication or the safety of the United States, tho Government of the United States could not see, without grave concern, the possession of such harbour or other place by any corporation or association which has such relation to. another Government, not American, as to givo to that Government the practical power of control for naval or military purposes. In general this resolution waß favourably received by the foreign newspapers. They admitted that, in case of hostilities, foreign corporations, if allowed a home on American soil, might ally themselves with foreign States and thus constitute a menace to international peace. A foremost exponent of British thought, the London "Spectator," averred that the Senate resolution was well within tho purpose, if not within the actual words, of the original Monroe declaration. "Foreign corporations and foreign Governments are not identical things, but in certain circumstances tho one may easily bo turned to the use of the other." The "Spectator" added:

From the point of view of .Great Britain, this action of tho Sonato necd_ cause no uneasiness. With the principle of the Monroe Doctrine we are familiar, and Mr. Lodgo's resolution does not really go beyond it. It is hardly possible tliat it injure anyone in this country, and its certainly serves as a protection against a real danger.