Monroeism For All Nations.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 7, 1912:
    The facetious German remark concerning the Senate debate on the Magdalena Bay resolution that the Americans are seeing Japanese ghosts. It is a way that nations have, and it may as well be remarked that every nation has its own favorite ghost, as well as its own form of Monroeism. For example, the veracious cable stated on the same day that it brought the German jest at expense, that the seizure of Tripoli by Italy was due to Italy getting wind of German negotiations at Constantinople to acquire rights in Tripoli by purchase which would be tantamount to giving Germany actual possession of the country.
    So it seems that the Tripolitan war was due to Italy's not seeing the German ghost in time enough to lay it except at an enormous expense in men and money and National prestige. Modern China has a maxim of "China for the Chinese," which is only a free rendering of America for the Americans.
    The European doctrine of the balance of power is a species of Monroeism, which is merely a form of the will to live and to protect the means of living. The struggle for life on this continent would be infinitely more difficult if foreign systems were to gain foothold on American soil. So long as Canada is a British asset it is sure that Monroeism does not depend alone on the force of the United States. In a contest to establish or disestablish Monroeism all the Americas would stand together, and England would support them for the sake of Canada. The German Jest does no harm, but it is not a ghost which inspired it. It would be a long time between jests in Germany if its editors should wait until the decease of Monroeism before joking again.