The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-21
A sweeping Resolution.

Sweeping Resolution.
/ The resolution introduced into the Sen
ate yesterday by Senator Davis from the
committee on foreign relations. defining
/ the Monroe doctrine. is a sweeping one.
It viii provoke a great debate. and will
attract the attention OF the whole OF
/ Europe.
The hearty Endorsement given the Prosi-
dents Venezuela message. the promptness
with which he was authorized to appoint
boundary commission and the readiness
with which money was appropriated 10
pay the expenses Of the commission show
beyond a doubt that congress is strongly
in favor of enforcing the Monroe doctrine.
And the people are strongly in favor Of
enforcing it as congress is. There is.
however. a difference of opinion as TO
whether it is advisable for congress at
this time. or in fact at any other time.
to make any additional declaration in re-
spect to the doctrine. The declaration
made by President Monroe and the in
dorsement that has been given that dec
laration on various occasions are sufh-
oient. it is claimed. for all practical pur-
poses. In fact, the opinion Is advanced
that in its present shape it can be utilized
to much greater advantage than If il
were put into a resolution such as that
introduced into the Senate yesterday.
While It is true that in that resolution
it is left to the President and congress
TO say when the attempt to commit any
one of the acts enumerated in the resolu-
ton is dangerous to the peace and safety
of the United States, stin If the resoIu-
ton were adopted attempts might be made
under certain conditions, to make the
Monroe doctrine mean much more than
it does now. For instance if we hold
that 1t Is a part of the Monroe doctrine
that no one of the Central or South Amer
| ican states shall cede any part of its ter
| ritory to any European government If
the United States should decide that il
was against their interest for the cession
to be made the European powers might
contend. and, that too. with some show
of reason. that If the United States I'M
dertake to say what the states south OF
them shall or shall not do in certain
cases, they must take the responsibility
for the unlawful acts OF those states by
which European nations suffer injury.
AS now understood the Monroe doc
time gives the United States an excuse
for intervening in behalf of any Central
or South American state whenever their
interests are thought to require them to
do so. Under the Davis resolution there
might be a disposition to make the Uni
ted States intervene in the affairs of those
states when it would not be for their
| interest to do so. A little study of the
situation shows how this might be the
case. and the doctrine might be made
more an annoyance and burden than a
benefit to the United States.
If it is advisable ito adopt a resolution
would it not be better to confine it TO a
reaftirmation and confirmation of the
Monroe doctrine without going into de-
tails? By doing so the object aimed at
would be accomplished. What then is
the use of going on record in a manner
that might prove embarrassing at some
future time? More is to be gained by a
firm adherence to the Monroe doctrine as
instances requiring its application arise
than in warning other nations that the
United States will regard the doing OF
any one of certain enumerated things as
a manifestation of hostility The Mon
roe doctrine in its present shape answers
every purpose for which we need it,
and, that too, without imposing upon the
United States any responsibility. The eff.
fort to define it more clearly might, be.
sides creating opposition. lead to respon.
sibilities and complications we do not de.
sire.