The Monroe Doctrine 257 



much more for England's sake than for our own; 

 for whatever might be the initial fortunes of the 

 struggle, or the temporary damage and loss to the 

 United States, the mere fact that Canada would in- 

 evitably be rent from England in the end would 

 make the outcome an English disaster. 



We do not in any way seek to become the sponsor 

 of the South American States. England has the 

 same right to protect her own subjects, or even in 

 exceptional cases to interfere to stop outrages in 

 South America, that we have to interfere in Ar- 

 menia and it is to be regretted that our represen- 

 tatives do not see their way clear to interfere for 

 Armenia. But England should not acquire terri- 

 tory at the expense of Venezuela any more than we 

 should acquire it at the expense of Turkey. 



The mention of Armenia brings up a peculiarly 

 hypocritical plea which has been advanced against 

 us in this controversy. It has been solemnly alleged 

 that our action in Venezuela has hampered England 

 in the East and has prevented her interfering on be- 

 half of Armenia. We do not wish to indulge in 

 recriminations, but when such a plea is advanced, 

 the truth, however unpleasant, must be told. The 

 great crime of this century against civilization has 

 been the upholding of the Turk by certain Christian 

 powers. To England's attitude in the Crimean War, 

 and after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877, the pres- 

 ent Armenian horror is primarily due. Moreover, 

 for six months before the Venezuelan question arose 

 England had looked on motionless while the Turks 



