196 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



But even should the dogma of Monroeism be infringed upon 

 by the proposition of a neutral Central American waterway, 

 there is no reason why that doctrine should not be disregarded 

 in the furtherance of a better cause. It would be folly to 

 cling to a doctrine simply for the sake of the doctrine itself, or 

 for any other sentimental reason. The object of every general 

 policy is for the general good. If, in any particular case, the 

 application of a theory, however sound in a broader sense, is 

 found to be unwise, it should be cast aside. If logic and 

 reason show that the best interests of the United States are 

 subserved in assuming the entire responsibility of managing 

 the political affairs of the canal, and a consistent observance 

 of the Monroe Doctrine equally demands it, then it is proper 

 to follow the Monroe Doctrine, otherwise, as in this case, 

 by all means abandon it. 



Assuming further that the Monroe Doctrine would be en- 

 croached upon by conceding a joint guarantee of neutrality, 

 it may be asked : By what right does the United States deny 

 the privilege European nations claim to look after the wel- 

 fare of their commercial interests in the Western Hemisphere ? 

 There can be no reasonable doubt that foreign nations will be 

 solicitous about the advantages to accrue to their commerce 

 by maintenance of the freedom of transit through the Nica- 

 ragua Canal. The United States has not only commercial 

 but territorial interests in the Eastern Hemisphere, and is 

 also demanding an open door in Asiatic ports. How may she 

 be justified, then, in denying to foreign nations in America 

 what she herself claims elsewhere? 



The neutralization of the canal would moreover avoid those 

 dangerous aggressive tendencies which must surely be engen- 

 dered by commercial advantages retained only through force 

 of arms, both in defiance of the rights of others, and contrary 

 to the better instincts of justice prevailing at home. 



The imposition of differential tolls would excite universal 

 disapproval, and would call upon the United States the denun- 

 ciation of all commercial nations. The commercial and politi- 

 cal interests of several European nations in the Far East, aside 

 from the desire to defend a vital principle of justice, would 



