The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1914. A "MONROE DOCTRINE" FOR AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 161, 7 January 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1914. A "MONROE DOCTRINE" FOR AUSTRALIA.

I According to a recent cable despatch, a Mr. Hamilton, of Minnesota, U.S.A., has launched a suggestion that Australia should "declare a Monroe Doctrine with reference to Papua and Java." There is no doubt that Mr. Hamilton means well; but his advice shows either a sad lack of information, or else an utter recklessness and disregard of the rights of other nations- To put it otherwise, lliis idea is an excellent one. but it comes too late for practical application. Papua and Java lie so close to the northern coast of Australia that it is very desirable that the Govern, ment of the Commonwealth should be aide to control them. Tn the case of Java, .however, there are the Dutch to reckon with, for they have been on that island for a century or two. Then, as regards Papua, or Xew Guinea, every schoolboy is supposed to know that it has been partitioned, and that the Gcrj mans are fully bent upon developing ! their portion of the vast island. To ) "declare a Monroe Doctrine,'' as Mr. Hamilton suggests, would be equivalent to telling the Dutch and the Germans that they must get out of Papua and Java; in other words, it would be tantamount to the Commonwealth declaring war against two European Powers, one of which has been in possession of territory since before the days of British colonisation in Australia. It is possible, however, for Australia to steadily pursue a peaceful policy of clearing the southern seas of rival Powers, so that the island continent might have full and free scope of development of her national life, without the danger of entanglements with potential enemies at her very doors. The Commonwealth, with tihe assistance of Xew Zealand, has, in fact, been pursuing such a policy for some years past with regard to the Xew | Hebrides. These islands are under a condominium, or joint, government by French and British officials. This form of government is most unsatisfactory to all concerned, and is detrimental to the development of the islands and the welfare of the natives. Since the estah- , lishment of a cordial friendship between Britain and France, some progress has been made in the direction of inducing the French to withdraw from the New Hebrides, and it is probable that, if Britain had a suitable ,: q,uirl pro quo" to oiler, the withdrawal might easily be arranged. After that is accomplished, there woidd remain the question of "buying out" the Frenrh in Xew Caledonia and other South. Sea possessions. It is probable that this can only be done 'by amicable agreomont. The help that Britain has given to France in the extension of her Empire in Africa, especially in Morocco, fihs assuredly given the British Government a claim to consideration of its wishes in such a matter as the buying out of French interests in Oceania. These southern colonies are of no real value to France; they are sources of lluanciiil loss to the Government of the Republic; and so far as private French interests in them are concerned, these would not suffer from a peaceful transfer to tlic British flag. When it comes, howevor, to shifting Urn Dutch and the Germans, a much more difficult task would have to be faced. The Dutch derive much wealth from Jaiva; and (hough Germany may not as yet make a prolit out of Now Guinea or Samoa, that Power will not be induced to surrender her possessions. Xo doubt, in the event of an AngloGerman war, Australia might drive the Germans out--thai. is', assuming that the Germans did not anticipate such a "coup" by defeating Hie CominonwenltU fleet and seizing Australia. Any ''Monroe. Doctrine - ' that .may be promulgated in those seas must fully recognise existing conditions, just as the original "Monrouisin* recognised the rights of Britain and oilier Powers (that had colo-

nics in America. The Americans show ii disposition to extend llic scope of the "doctrine," hut (hev are cautious enough not to push their patriotic desires to the extent of provoking war. And, further, Monroeism hrings its responsibilities, as "Uncle Warn" now realises in connection with the disturbed condition of Mexico. On the whole, Australia anil New Zealand, eren l;houj>li tliey may be strons eunuch, will do \tcll not to emulate the American example of crying•'■Handfi oft!" to all (he Kuropean t'owers. ]f we can dam hack the tide of Asiatics we shall do well. To help us in that we .mar yet want (lie help of all the white people and their Govern. - , ments.