Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-05-14
The Monroe Doctrine.

The strongest objection raised agains
the project by which it is proposed t.
open q canal across the Isthmus o.
Panama is that the enterprise, il car
ried out, may infringe upon what il
known rs the T" Monroe Doctrine" Ir
| 1923 the Russian Government pro.
posed to the United States and Great
Britain, that friendly consultation
should be had for settling the rights OF
the three countries to possessions on
the Pacific Coast.
President Monroe, in notifying Con.
gress that the request had been granted,
added that this seemed q proper occa-
sion for asserting the principle Gin
which the rights and interests of the
United States are involved, that the
American continents, by the free and
independent condition which they have
assumed and maintain, are henceferth
rot to be considered as subjects for
future colonization by any European
powers"
In the same message, he said that the
United States should declare that it
would consider any attempt, on the
part OF any European powers. to ex-
tend their system to any part of this
hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace
and safety.
These two declarations form what is
known as the Monroe doctrine. In
short, they assert that there must be
no interference by any European
power with any government of North
or South America. Sach powers must
not be permitted to establish colonies
in America, or to introduce the forms
OF monarchy, or to assume any con-
troll over the Governments of the
American continents.
The Monroe doctrine has been uni
versally accepted by Americans as a
correct policy. On every occasion,
with one exception, when any govern
mcnt has bsen disposed to act contrary
to our national interests, our govern.
ment has successfully protested.
In 1861, when he United States was
seriously embarrassed by the war of
the rebellion, Frsnce, Spain and Great
Britain sent an expedition to Mexico.
In the end the two latter powers with
drew from the coalition, and France
alone attempted to set up an empire in
Mexico, with the Austrian Archduke
Macmillan at its head. The scheme
misorably failed.
While the civil war lasted, only q
protest was made, but later, when
peace was restored at homo, our gov
ernment insisted upon the withdrawal
of the French troops. That put an end
to the empire of Mexico. The natives,
under tho command of Juarez, con-
Guered the imperial forces, and Maxi
milan was captured and shot.
Ii the Panama ship canal were
to be constructed, it would be done
largely by French capital, and under
French overseers and superixtendents.
Other persons of the same nation would
be attracted to the Isthmus for various
purposes of trade, and thus colony
would be planed thsre.
As a natural and almost inevitable
result, France would claim the right
to extend its protection over its own
citizens, and that would almost GER
tainly be followed, as he next step, hy
q protectorate over Columbia.
Thus the Monroe doctrine would be
violated, and French influence would
be above all other, in one of the most
important parts of the American CON
tinent. The fears of such result are
not universally felt. Neither is it GER
tain that if majority of our people
fully expected this result to follow,
they weuld oppose the canal.
The enterprise would surely be 6
very Useful one; and if foreign capita
can be enlisted in it, all the better, pro
vided only there is no actual nationa
danger. That is the point to be dis
cussed. We suppose Americans are
not likely to give up the Monroe doc
trine. but they are also not likely to be
needlessly frightened.