The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-04-02
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The Congressional Construction Sought to be
Placed Upon It,

In the House, on the 9th of March, Rep
resentative King OF Louisiana, from the
Committee on the Inter-O Oceanic Ship Ca
nal, rose to question of privilege, intro
duced the following resolution and stated
he had been directed by the Committee
unanimously, to move the previous ques
ton, which he did.
Be IL enacted by tho Senate and Hou1 OF
REORGANIZATION Of the United States Of
America in Congrs" assembled, That the
establishment Of any form of protectorats
by any one Of the powers of Europe owe,
any Of the independent States Of this con.
tinent or the introduction from any quar-.
ter of . scheme or policy which would car.
ry with 1t right to any European power
to interfere with their concerns, or 70 con.
troll In any other manner their destiny, OF
the transfer to any such power, by conquest,
cession, or acquisition in any other way
any Of those States, or any portion thereof,
is measure to which this Government has,
In the declaration OF President Monroe In
his message of December Q, 1923, and
known as the Monroe doctrine, avowed its
opposition, and which, should the attempt
be made, it will regard and treat as dan.
Rerous to our peace, prosperity, and safety.
Q. Reso!sed, That it is the interest and
right Of the United States TO have the pos
session. direction, control, and government
Of any canal, railroad, or other artificial
communication to be constructed across the
isthmus connecting the American CONT
nents for the transfer of vessels and cargoes
from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific
Ocean, whether the same be built or con-
structed at Panama, Nicaragua, or else-
where; and In view of the magnitude Of
this interest 1t Is the duty of the United
States to insist that IL built, and by whom
soever the same may be commenced, prose-
cuted, or completed, and whatever the ma
tionality Of its corporators or the source Of
their capital, that the interest Of tho United
States and their right to possess and control
the said canal or other artificial communi-
cation will be asserted and maintained
whenever in their opinion it shall become
nece ssary.
3. And be IL further resoired, That tho
President be requested to take steps neces.
sary and proper for the abrogstion Of any
existing treaties whose terms are In conflict
with this declaration of principles.
This was scorchers and to move the
previous question brought up Garfield and
Reagan who asked that Mr.. King allow 1t
to be printed and members have time to
examine resolution 50 impor tant King
consented, provided the Committee have
the privilege u calling it up at any time.
This resolution was offered on the same
day the President sent in his message on
the same subject which, was not nearly SO
vigorous in expression but both are earn
est and evidently mean business in regard
to the control OF an Isthmus Canal. As
Colombia protests the United States has no
coscern in her affairs and that she will re-
sist as far as in her power any interference
with her affairs, and as considerable French
capital is already invested in the scheme Of
M. de Lesseps IL Is not improbable this af-
fair may yet assume serious aspect. We
have not noticed the resolution since called
up.