The President of Venezuela is again giving trouble. America, Great
Britain, France, and Holland all complain of the violent ill-treatment of their subjects, generally for pecuniary objects, and constant rumours are circulated of the determination of one or other of these Powers to exact reparation from the Republic by force. These rumours are all denied, and we imagine all of them are at the least premature. The disposition in Europe will be to wait and see whether President Roosevelt will carry out effectually the policy he has so strongly defended of compelling all the States which are protected by the Monroe doctrine to deal justly with foreign nations. He can do it without difficulty, for the necessary steps are purely executive and do not involve the " treaty-making power" of the Senate. There is not the smallest reason for believing that he will go back on his own policy, which is to acknowledge that if the great American Republic claims a special position as regards the lesser States of the two Americas, she is morally bound to accept the responsibilities which flow from her privileges. Otherwise she causes all. Europe to think of the useful Monroe doctrine as little better than a shield for evil- doers. Vigorops American action against Venezuela would enrich all Spanish-American States, by enabling the world to lend them money, or invest in their enterprises with a uew sense of security from lawless violence. The right of the President of the United States to defend all American cquntries from coercion is admitted, on condition that he will suppress piracy in those regions whether by individual or State.
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