The Daily News. TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1914. UNITED STATES POLICY IN MEXICO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 166, 13 January 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1914. UNITED STATES POLICY IN MEXICO.

It seems n> he generally assumed that there is u "rift in the lute" of Anglo- i American I'.icndship because of tlie situation that lias airisen in Mexico. Great Britain "ir cognised" Concral Ilucrta almost as soon as he seized the reins of power, whereas the United .States has steadily refused to recognise him, and has, in f.ul, ordered him to get duwnam! out, so that a proper election may be held. It is now announced by cable that Sir Lionel Cardcn, the British Minister, is being transferred to Brazil. This is interpreted at Washington as a triumph for the American policy in Mexico, and all the foreign Ambassadors are reported to be agreed that the United States should have a free hand in 'her efforts to restore order in the disturbed country. In that case, the. difference of opinion between Britain and the (jovernment at ■ Washington lias disappeared, and there is not even tlie tiniest cloud to mar tile record of a hundred years of peace between -the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race. Somo American journals have been "spread-eagling' about the .Monroe doctrine in connection with the Mexican situation; but President Wilson is keeping a cool head, and is no more likely to rush into war with Mexico t'han he is to quarrel wiHi Ureal Britain over the matter. As a matter of historical fact, tlie so-called Monroe Doctrine is more a British than an American idea. The doctrine is so named from the fact that it was promulgated l;y President Monroe in his message to Congress in 182S; but the underlying principle of it originated with Great Britain. In ISS-2, owing to the activity of the Holy Alliance and the troubles of Spain in South America, Ceorge Canning, then English Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, approached the American .Minister with a proposal far joint action on the part of England and America with a view to preventing further acquisition of territory in South America by European I'owcrs. At that time the United States Covcrnment refused to co-operate or lend itself in any way to such a policy, doubtless because of its dread of "entangling alliances"; but a year later the president adopted Canmug's idea ami has since got credit for it. It is contended with reason that the •'doctrine" is as much British .13 American, and as Britain has more American territory than the United States, [ the doctrine ought not to he applied as .! against'her. The late Prince Bismarck I once characterised the .Monroe Doctrine il ai' "a piece of impertinence," and it lias never been recognised by any foreign Power; but the American people seem to i be strongly attached to it. and a section I of them aire ready on occasion to assert 1 it and even to extend its scope, The

United States (iovernment acted upon the doctrine, in o|i|)ositiipn to the establishment of the ill-fated Maximilian aa Emperor of Mexico, anil wortroT doubtless do the same again if any foreign Power altemi)ted to intervene; hut it will not strain the doctrine into n warrant fol interference in Mexico's internal affairs any further than may lie required for the protection of American citizens and their interests. It may he true that the Standard Oil Company, which owns large petroleum concessions in Mexico, U actively supporting I lie Madero rebels; hut the people of the I'nited States would never tolerate a war with the object of further enriching Mr. .John D. Rockefeller.