The United States and Foreign Entanglements by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 24, 1909

The United States and Foreign Entanglements

By C. M. S.

FOR years it was considered impossible that the United States should become mixed up in the politics of the Old World; but the developments of recent years have made it impossible that she should not become thus entangled. The “Monroe doctrine,” while designed to prevent conditions that must lead to strife between the powers of the two hemispheres, cut across the purpose of the principal powers of Europe, and made the republic of the West a factor to be reckoned with in every scheme for colonial expansion. At one stroke, then, America came into the political consideration of all those powers that coveted possessions in the New World.

But now, instead of exerting merely a repressive influence in world politics, America has found it necessary to formulate an active political policy of her own. The war with Spain made her a power of the East as well as of the West, and the Philippine Islands lie as hostages within the gates of the Old World. These possessions and the growing trade of the Pacific Coast have made it seem necessary to the American government that American tradesmen should have as free access to the markets of the Orient as have the tradesmen of any other nation. The threatened partition of China a few years ago, which

would have placed a serious handicap upon American manufacturers and traders in that respect, was the actuating cause in the adoption of the “open door” policy by this government and the policy of maintaining the integrity of the Chinese empire. Now, it is against the purpose and desire of both Japan and Russia that the integrity of the Chinese empire should be maintained absolutely; both desire to control the Chinese province of Manchuria. America’s program clashes with that of both these powers. The other powers that hoped to profit by China’s disintegration have had their purposes thwarted in that regard.

A few years ago the American government protested diplomatically to Bulgaria against her unjust treatment of a certain class of her subjects; and as a result of the Kongo atrocities, the United States joined Great Britain in presenting protests to those responsible for the maintenance of the peace in that part of Africa. Now come the Armenians of Turkey, distressed, oppressed, persecuted, their lives in continual danger at the hands of their enemies, thousands of them having been slain in the late uprising, and they plead that America shall take up their cause with the new Turkish government.

Can America keep herself free from international entanglements?—It is impossible. She is not free from them now, and every new year increases the causes for international entanglements. Mr. Thomas F. Millard, an authority on Oriental affairs, declares, in his recent book, “America and the Far Eastern Question,” that America is destined to play a leading part in the solution of the problems now arising in the Orient. To quote:—

When the Eastern situation is considered in the light of recent events and present circumstances, one is compelled to conclude that international equilibrium there can be restored and maintained only by creating a new balance of power; one which will be established on a different base, and which will contain a new element of strength and stability. This can be supplied, in my opinion, only by direct and active participation of the United States of America. Between the United States and China is a genuine community of interests, which has no proportionate parallel with the relations of our nation and any other Oriental state. If this is true, it is evident that no international arrangement or understanding having in mind the fate of China and the course of events there, which does not to some extent accord with the interests and desires of the United States, will possess any real vitality, or give any genuine assurance that peace will be maintained in the East. . . .

The Washington government must decide whether, in the crisis which is approaching, it will actively move to compel a satisfactory solution, or will permit American interests to continue to drift on the current of events; whether it will formulate its own policy, or have one thrust upon it; whether it will lead, or follow. For, that the United States must have a Pacific Ocean policy can not be doubted. American statesmen and people may shrink from participation in the Eastern question, but it inevitably will intrude upon them; and it is bound up in the fate of China. This great empire will be the storm-center of the forthcoming diplomatic struggle, and the scene of any international conflicts which failure of peaceful adjustment will provoke. As the “Monroe doctrine” invokes the United States to interfere should stronger nations aggress upon Central and South American states, so may a strong Pacific policy invoke its aid to preserve China.

The question as to how the United States could ever become involved in a world war is clearly enough answered by such considerations as these. Such an event is seen to be not only possible but more than probable, and signs are pointing in that direction already. At no previous time in the world’s history have conditions been so ripe for a war that would engage the world as they are at the present time, or been pointing with so emphatic a finger toward such a culmination.

C. M. S.