362 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



violation of the Monroe Doctrine, but not seriously until 

 the subject of an interoceanic canal had come forward more 

 prominently. 



In 1842, and again two years later, England found it 

 necessary to besiege San Juan, for the sake of impressing 

 upon the natives a respect for the validity of her terri- 

 torial claims. These decidedly aggressive acts were passed 

 unnoticed in Washington. 



Other instances might be cited which prove to a certain 

 extent that for a number of years after the famous message 

 had been issued, it was not viewed by contemporary states- 

 men in the same light in which it is generally regarded 

 to-day. The particular danger against which Mr. Monroe 

 had directed his protest had ceased to exist. Its principles 

 were only to be revived in case such acts of aggression or 

 armed interference in America seemed actually to threaten 

 the safety of the United States. The idea that the United 

 States should offer its military forces to South or Central 

 America, at its bidding, was never entertained. It was 

 never denied that European nations had the right belonging 

 to any sovereign power to use force in South or Central 

 America, if necessary, in the collection of debt, or to obtain 

 redress for grievances. However, while the United States 

 for a considerable period took little cognizance of European 

 intervention in South and Central America, President- 

 Monroe's declaration was by no means forgotten ; this is 

 particularly evidenced in relation to Cuban affairs. 



The proximity of Cuba to the American shores has always 

 made it the subject of jealous watchfulness by the United 

 States, and during each administration from that of Presi- 

 dent Monroe, a share of attention has been directed to it. 

 , As early as 1809, Jefferson looked longingly toward Cuba, 

 although he feared the dangers of a general expansion 

 policy. He wrote to President Madison : " I would imme- 

 diately erect a column on the southernmost limit of Cuba, 

 and inscribe on it a ne plus ultra as to us in that direction. 

 . . . Cuba can be defended by us without a navy, and this 

 develops the principle which ought to limit our views." 



