Evening star., 1896-01-20
MONROE .DOcT RlNE.
Senator Davis Resolution keamrm-
ing It Reported Today. "
THE REPORT NOT UNANIMOUS
Senator sewaII Speaks Upon the
5 Presidents Venezuelan Message.
MATTERS IN THE HOUSE

Unusual interest attached to the Senate
proceedings today, owing to anticipated ac-
| ton on several important questions in
| cludfng report from the committee on
foreign relations on the Monroe doctrine,
and an effort by Mr.. Pugh to secure a vote.
according to notice given, on his resolution
ieaffirming the historic Stanley Matthews
resolution that government obligations
shouid be paid in the money current when
shey Were incurred, namely, silver as well
as solo. There was but a scant attendance
en- the noor but the galleries were crowded
eeSuIhs the early hours of the session Mr.
SSneinan, Sa, chairman of the committee on
ioIelsh reiatlons, was an early arrival
carrying bunch of reports and documents
report from the Postmaster General
on senate resolution of inquiry gave the
dedans deds, OF the practice long observed of
| of duty. -
The Monroe Doctrine.
Mr. Davis CMinn) of the committee on
| foreign relations arose as soon as the
routine proceedings were disposed of and
submitted favorable report on the reso-
tuition framed by him enunciating the Nom
roe doctrine 1t was read from the desk.
leceivihg close attention. The resolution,
concurrent resolution relative to the as
seruon and enforcement of the Monroe
doctrine.
Resolved by the Senate. the House OF
RepfesentatiVes concurring, that whereas
PRESIDENT Monroe, in his message to Com
sress OF December = Ammo Domini lS..;;
deemed 1t proper to assert as a princinIe
! IN Wnich the rights and interests of the
ohlted States are involved that the Ameri-
can continents. by the free and independent
condltlon which they have assumed and
maintained, were thenceforth not to be
tonsluered t;n as subjects for future colonza-
tlon py any European power.
whereas, President Monroe further de-
SiaIeo IN that message that the United
states would consider any attempt by the
aineu powers OF Europe to extend their
system 10 any portion of this hemisphere
as dangerous to our peace and safety: tha t
win the existing colonies and dependencies
oi any European power We have not in
,zi,h eieu .n ana shouid not interfere; but that
WIN the governments who have declared
tnelr independence and maintained n
whose independence we have in great con-
slderation and on just principles acknowl-
| edged, We could not view any interposition
| for the purpose of depressing them or con-
| ironing IN any other manner their destiny
Dy any european power, in any other light
tnan as the manifestation of an unfriendly
disposition toward the United States: and
further reiterated in that message that il
| Is impossible that the allied powers should
extend their political system to any por-
tlon OF either continent without endanger-
ing our peace and happiness; and
Whereas the doctrine and pol;cy so nro
CANNED by President Monroe have since
Deen repeatedly asserted by the United
states by executive declaration and action
upon occasions and eXigencieS similar to
the particular occasion and oxigency which
caused them to be first announced, and
nave been ever since their PRONUNCIATION,
ana now are. the rightful policy Of the
United States: Therefore be it
| RESOLVED. That the United States of
America reaffirms and confirms the doc
trine and principle promulgated by Presi-
2, A. d. 1923, and declares that it will as
sert and maintain that doctrine and those
principles, and will regard any infringe
| meht theTeef, and particularly any attempt
| Dy any European power to take or ac-
| Qulre any new or additional territory on
the American continents, or any island ad-
1acent thereto, or any right of sovereignty
ur aoinihion In the same in any case or
instance as to which the United States
snail deem such attempt to be dangerous
! to It's peace or safety, by or through force.
purchase, cession. occupation, pledge, col
onfzatton, protectorate or by control of
| the easement in any canal or any other
| means or transit across the American 18TH
| mus, whether under unfounded pretensiop
| or right in cases of alleged boundary dis
puteS, or under any other unfounded pre-
| tensions as the manifestation of an un-
| friendly disposition toward the United
| States, and as an interposition which il
| WouAu Uc lupOSSiDte III any form Tor the
| United States to regard with Indifference
AT Mr.. Davis request, the resolution wen1
| to the Senate calendar.
| Mr.. Gray Oel) stated that he desired Il
understood that the favorable report wa:
| not unanimous.
Mr.. Wclcott tCol) gave notice that HI
| would. on Wednesday. address the Senate
| on Mr.. Sewelrs resolution placing limita
| tions on the Monroe doctrine.
| Mr.. Frye (Maine) reported favorably 3
| bill regulating naphtha launches.
| Mr.. Warren Wyo) presented resolution
| concerning the shrinkage in price of farm
| animals, and directing an inquiry. He gave
| notice of speech on the subject next Thurs
| day.
| MIR. Seyvell His ResoluffOn.
Mr.. Sewell (N.J) then addressed the Sen
ate on his resolution reciting that President
beyond Its proper scope, and enunciating the
principle that the doctrine was for the in
| terest Of the United States and was not ar
| obligation to aid and protect Southern re-
publics. The resolution recited that the
| Presidents course was premature and thai
| the Monroe doctrine does not commit the
| United States to protectorate of southern
| countries.
| Mr.. Sewell said the Presidents Venezuelan
| message presented questions of most serious
| import. The Senator, reading from the mes
sage, said the President clearly desired tC
!
out the message. and the letters of the Sec
retary of State the determinat ton was cleal
| to make this construction to the doctrine
| absolutely final and conclusive without ref
erence to results.
Mr.. Sewell gave the circumstances under
| which the Monroe doctrine was announced.
The doctrine served its purpose of thai
day in checking the plans of the holy al
| lance to extend its power on the Ameri.
can continents. The Senator quoted from
| resolutions of Congress in 1925 and speech.
es by Mr.. Webster, showing the exact pur
poses and original scope Of the Monroe doc
| trine. In 1868 Senator Clayton Of Della
| ware pointed out in the Senate that the
doctrine of Monroe was not addressed tc
| foreign nations. but was a mere recon-
mendation to Congress, declined at the
time, and it had ever since declined to &C
cept it. The Congress sitting at the time
of the Monroe message strongly opposed
/ the doctrine. Henry Clay offered a modi
fed resolution. but 1t could not pass
| Lewis Cass referred to the doctrine as 6
dead letter. Mr.. Sewell gave the position
Of John Quincy Adams, Jackson. Var
Buren and other statesmen on the doc
| trine, showing the constant and successful
opposition to 1t.
The President's Position.
Taking up the Venezuela question Mr.
Sewell pointed out that the Presidents
| Dosition involved the most eytreme anf