WILL GERMANY DEFY THE MONROE DOCTRINE?

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8090, 7 January 1903, Page 4

WILL GERMANY DEFY THE MONROE DOCTRINE?

r (Army and Xavy Gazette.) The .situation of the United States navy | at the present time is such as well deserves ! consideration. -It must be regarded in its 1 relation to the strong spirit of imperialism ; which is now so loudly expressed beyond the j Atlantic, and to the insistence with which ■ the Monroe Doctrine is proclaimed by Pre- ; sident -Roosevelt. The- formation of a, German squadron in American waters .appears to be regarded with suspicion. The force : now consists of three cruisers and a guni boat, and the commodore is to be succeeded iby a rear-admiral. The Army and "Navy i Journal "describes the squadron as a visible j representative of aggressive ideas and pur- ' poses, and says that its presence cannot be | ignored. Germany is making vast strides in South America, where her colonising enterprise has proved successful, and she has developed very large trade interests in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and other South American republics. In Rio Grande do Sul, i the southernmost- state of Brazil, she lias i established a colony of more than 200,000 persons, who ■ have transformed the territory into what is little less than a Geri man province. Moreover, four great steam- ( ship lines are in profitable operation beI tween German and South American ports, and the banking of the southern republics is largely under German control. All this may well account for the establishment of a German squadron in American waters, but our contemporary thinks that beneath the effusive cordiality between the United States and Germany a bloodless, but desperate, contest- is going on, which to many observers seems bound to culminate in a conflict of a- moi'e serious nature. A consequence that is expected to follow is the attempt of Germany to secure a position on American territory. She will scarcely be content to allow her vessels to be dependent upon foreign yards,. and when the time comes "the integrity and binding force of the Monroe* Doctrine will be subjected to the final test. The Army and Navy Journal says that either the doctrine must be abandoned or the country must be ready for the inevitable hostilities to which it will lead. The lesson for the United States is, therefore, preparedness. Our contemporary says it has confidential information that- the German Emperor is endeavoring to make himself independent of the United j States workshops, and sources of supply, j while the most exact inquiries are being j made as to the military and naval strength j of the northern republic.