The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-01-21
THE moNRoH DOCTRINE.

N4eHNEaN -
While the Venezuelan mud lie with
Great Britain remains unsettled, any
thing in regard to the supposed move
ments of the British flying %tqusdron or
any interpretations OF the Monroe
doctrine in Congress cannot fail to be
OF interest to the American people. On
yesterday in the United States Senate
the committee on foreign relations re-
ported MIR. Davis resolution on the
Monroe doctrine, which was strong
enough to suit the strongest lingo in
land. IL wAs placed On the calendar.
In the same body the resolution offered
by Senator Sewell, of New jersey, on
January l6, placing limitations on the
great American doctrine and condemn
ing the Presidents message on the sub
ject, was taken up aud q speech made
by Its author in advocacy OF 1t.
Among other things, he said the Pres.
ident's message presented a condition
OF affairs of the most serious import,
and from which it appeared quite clear
that Mr. Cleveland intended to present
GO Congress the contingency OF a wsr
with Great Britain. His resolutions
and his speech do not reflect the popu-
Ter American Wow OF the Monroe doc
erine, however, much the people Of the
United States may dep,ecate the idea OF
o war with England on the question.
Besides, to adopt the resolution OF Mr..
Seweil would put the United States in a
position that would lower it's prestige
In the eyes OF tho world, and bring the
administration and Congress into rldi-
Guile and contempt. Tho resolution,
no ~ever, speaks for itself, and is IS fol-
lows:
"Resol7ea, That tho Monroe doctrine,
Us originally ~propounded, was directed
to the special prevention OF the threat.
aned action OF the allied powers in
reference to the %revolted colonies OF
Spain and the occupation, by way of
colonization, Of any supposed derelict
territory on this hemisphere.
"2. That the question of resisting
any acquialtion of territory, by con-
quest was limited. as stated by Me-.
Webster, to cases in which, by reason
of proximity, such acquisition would
badangerous to our safety, and the In
tegfity of our institu tions.
"3. the true ground upon which
the Monroe announcement was based
and upon which any similar position
hat been taken rests for it's juBtifca-
ton upon what may DO our interests.
And our interests only; and that neither
by the Monroe doctrine, nor any other
official declaration, have we over come
under any pledge TO any power or State
m chin onntinont chat hi-do 80
merely for their protection against in
vasion or encroachpent by any other
power.
"a. That when q cass arises in which
. European power proposes to acquire
tertiary by invasion or oonqueas, it is
then for us % determine whether our
ssfety aud the integrity Of our ~ins.itu-
lions demand that we shall resies ouch
action by armed force. If necessary.
IS. That the Executive has pressed
the Monroe doctrine beyond what WAS
contemplated at the time OF it's an
nouncement. and thss the resultant
aequence of the po%aisions thus taken
seems TO be a committsl of this Govern
snent to q protectorate over Mexico aud
h Central and South American Ssates;
that this would be most unwise and
dangerous, and would violate the sound
and well-eBtablished policy that We
should avoid all %entangling alliances
with foreign powers, whether they be
European or American.
sc. That this action was prem.tare,
looking to the history of the c,nsro-
versy, and inopportuue in view OF the
business and financial condition OF the
country.
so. That neither Congress nor the
country can be, or has been, committed
by the action or position of the execu-
tive department. in reference to the
Venezuelan boundary controversy, aa to
the course 10 be pursued when the time
shall have arrived for q final determine
tion. II will then be our province aud
our duty to adopt such q line of policy
and to take such action as may be then
demanded by our sense of duty to the
country and by a due regard for its
honor and dignity; the welfare and
safety OF our people and the integrity of
cur iastttutions."
fL All nsttf,tso. e., H.