256 The Monroe Doctrine 



German Emperor started to interfere in the Trans- 

 vaal, England promptly declared her own "Monroe 

 Doctrine" for South Africa. We do not propose 

 to see English filibusters try at the expense of Vene- 

 zuela the same policy which recently came to such 

 an ignominious end in the Transvaal, in a piece of 

 weak, would-be buccaneering, which, it is perhaps 

 not unfair to say, was fittingly commemorated in the 

 verse of the new poet-laureate. 



It would be difficult to overestimate the good done 

 in this country by the vigorous course already taken 

 by the national Executive and Legislature in this 

 matter. The lesson taught Lord Salisbury is one 

 which will not soon be forgotten by English states- 

 men. His position is false, and is recognized as 

 false by the best English statesmen and publicists. 

 If he does not consent to arrange the matter with 

 Venezuela, it will have to be arranged in some way 

 by arbitration. In either case, the United States 

 gains its point. The only possible danger of war 

 comes from the action of the selfish and timid men 

 on this side of the water, who clamorously strive 

 to misrepresent American, and to mislead English, 

 public opinion. If they succeed in persuading 

 Lord Salisbury that the American people will 

 back down if he presses them, they will do the 

 greatest damage possible to both countries, for 

 they will render war, at some time in the future, 

 almost inevitable. 



Such a war we would deplore; but it must be 

 distinctly understood that we would deplore it very 



