THE MUNROE DOCTRINE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2345, 30 December 1914, Page 9

THE MUNROE DOCTRINE

COUNT BERNSTORFF'S

BLUNDER

SATIRICAL AMERICAN PRESS COMMENTS

The firm of Bornstorff and Bernburg, unlimited, purveyors of Gorman stupidity to the American market, must be very well satislied with their latest efforts to do business, writes the "Morning Post" correspondent under date of October 28. Not since the parent house in Berlin unloaded, at ruinous sacrifice, models ia treaties no longer regarded as appealing to tho German taste has the branoh firm in this country pulled off such a magnificent coup. Tho American Press,' however, which devotes a large amount of space to the operations of tho syndicate, shows a doubt as to the popularity which this latest exhibition of German enterprise will receive in the country. "What imp of perversity tempted the German Ambassador to raise the issue of the Monroo Doctrine and assent Germany's right to invade Canada?" the "New York World" asks in a leading article, and continues: "As long as the British Navy is afloat Germany has no more chance of invading Canada than she has of invading the moon. For all practical purposes the Ambassador might as profitably discuss the advantages of Mars as a signalling station to direct the fire of the German heavy artillery in the siege of Petrograd. Politically we can think of 110 other question which is more certain to arouse American suspicion and irritration than this. The German attitude towards the Monroe Doctrine has always left a great deal to be desired from the American point ,of view. German political writers have habitually treated the Monroe Doctrine as a piece of contemp-, tible Yankee impudence, and this is rather a _dubious occasion for a German diplomatist to raise hypothetical questions as to the extent and application of the Doctrine in a hypothetical campaign against Canada. Shtiuld German troops ever invade Canada the application of tlie Monroe Doctrine to tho specific case will be defined in Washington and not in Berlin." ° Count BernstorfPs Reassurances. Tho "World" also has a large cartoon representing. Count Bernstorif with a grin painting a big sign revising the Monroe Doctrine, On the hoarding is President Monroe's famous declaration that any attempt 011 the part, of a European Government to extend its system to any portion of the American hemisphere would be considered as dangerous to American peace and safety and Count Bcrnsforif is shown painting ui the word "not" in heavy capitals before "considered" so as entirely to cliango the meaning of the declaration, iml editorial paragraph the World" fires this shot: "Count Von Bornstorff has mastered the art of causing greater uneasiness, by his reassurances than other diplomatists by their threats." The "New York ierald" asks what Count Bernstorff can hope to gain by spreading the suggestion that Germany may attack and occupy Canada,; and remarks : "Can he imagine that Americans are 60 enamoured of Gorman 'kultur' as exemplified in Belgium that they would welcome its appearance on this Continent?" 1

The "Herald" observes that it would seem to be the first rule of German ! diplomacy in bending its energies to create a favourable American publio sentiment to let the sleeping dog of the Monroe Doctrine lie, and adds: "If there is one thing more calculated than any other to make Americans give ear to the/foolish talk of those persons who would .have the United States break-its'neutrality, and give all its aid' and comfort to the Allies it is the picture which Count Bernstorff paints o£ , German armies 'hacking their way' in Canada. Dr. Dernburg, the second in command of the German publicity propaganda, rushes to the fore , with the assurance that Germany's love for the < Monroe Doctrine is so great that it would never contemplate the invasion of Canada. Can' Dr. Dernburg expect the American people to attach any more value to his assurances than the German Government docs to its treaties P The only possible effect of Dr. Dernburg's disclaimer is to focus'attention on the Bernstorff picture and to make Americans do a lot of thinking."

American Apprehensions. The rt New York Evening Post" is lightly satirical. "Count Berhstorff's assurance that Germany will not consent to waive her right to invade Canada, because of the Monroe Doctrine need keep no one awake 0' nights either ■here or in the' Dominion. A little trifle like the British Fleet, still stands'in the way." In more serious vein the "Post" refers to going the rounds—'"We shall, have Germany on our necks if she wins"—.and adds: "Every assurance which she can give that this will not .be her policy, if it is based on something more definite than 'a scrap of paper,' will be to her advantage." Even tho "New York American" has forsaken its alliance, and tells Count Bernstorff that it would have been the part of diplomacy for, him to have remained discreetly silent, as his expressions "will not add to : his popularity in this country," and unkindly adds:. . Tve trust that the Count will not supplement his interesting remarks on Canada and the Monroe Doctrine 'with a proposition that, should Germany wish to invade Canada, the Belgiau precedent would afford ample jusdhcatioii for marching her troops' through New England.".

Dr. Dernburg having said one, tiling and Count Bernstorff another, .Count Bernstorff has edited an annotated Dr. Dernburg, and has now issued 'Coi'nt Bernstorif-on Dr. Deriiburg," with critical comment;-'.- Count Bernstorif has' given out another statement explaining what Dr. Dernburg really meant, hut as Count Bernstorff admits that Dr. Dernburg only said in his own way what he (Count Bernstorif) said in another way, furthor quotations soem uunecesary. An Unfortunate Impression. . The impression—but not precisely the impression desired—made 011 the public mind by the Bernstorfi-Dornburg disclaimers and threats is" shown by the letters appearing in various papers. They are so numerous that they can only be , referi'4d to briefly. Mr. Lawrence Godkin, the distinguished publicist, writeß: "So Count von Bernstortf and Dr. Dernburg now clajm tho Teutonic right to invade and conquer Canada. Is not this going a little too far, even for our strict neutrality? Or should we now offer the • other cheek—the Monroe Doctrine cheek —to be smitten by the mailed fist of Gormany ? All the correspondents say that no assurance given by Germany can bo accepted as worth anything, as with her treaties are merely■ "scrajjs of paper,", and any pledge she may offer, iii the words of one writer, "will bo repudiated 1 whenever it is found to be inconvenient." Herr Ridder's Solicitude. Herr Ridder,' being German, shows the same fatal facility for blundering that has made his more distinguished 'compatriots so extremely popular in the United'-States. Herr Hidden, writes in tho. "Staats Zeituug" that tho'time has come for the United States to declare wan on Japan. "I say it, though not without regret," this patriotic editor continues, "that . Washington, iininstructed by the American people, is no longer capable of handling tho ■ situation." On this the "New York Sun" com-

ments: "The modesty of Herr Bidder's regretful assertion of ignorance of the Administration is beautiful, but why does he ask'the American people to reprove and. correct the unilluminated mind of President Wilson? The proper instructions should come from the'Wilhelmstrasse, and it is to the German people that Herr Bidder's sqlicitude is addressed. How fortunate it i 6 for this amiable neutral that the Alien and Sedition Acts were long ago repealed."