New-York tribune., 1896-01-31
SELECTIONS FROM THE NAIL.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE DISTORTED.

THE MONROE DOCTRINE DISTORTED
.s GOVERNING PRINCIPLE 1T IS VALUABLE;
THE DAVIS RESOLUTION MAKES IT A FErTER'
To the rl!,or Of The Tribune.
Sir: The sxtrlyagant u'tera-ces Of some O. your
commentaries may betog the minds O; the un-
thinking as regards the Monroe Doctrine az
critical time IN history. All patrotc Americans oe-
ueve in and wish - maintain this doctrine as
doctrine: that *. a governing principe IN our
foreign relations Ta.s is quite another th'hg from
erecting Il in'o cas;-.ron law sel'-imposed, anu
binding ourselves only compelling Us under AL CIR
cumstan-es TO adopt certain prede;ernne' cou'ss
of acton without the power 20 change or mou's IT,
even i, We should see = to be 20 our advantage I"
do =, | think Il Is beneath the dignity OF great
Nation 10 place Itself under the tuslage o. SELF
irnnosed law ald thus 70 voluntarily surrender rs
rieh, TO dscrimna-e and shape It's course OF action
according 70 the circumstances o. each Individual
-,
Wh,, should we gain by IL A. laid down by the
Senate resolution. any Power. ersa; or small cou4d
f,r,e us into A war az tweniy-four hours noilce oy
landing squad o. marines In Patagonia. II 'h's
b should pass II safe to say that We s-ould an
,agorize the whole civilized world. .ncIuiihx al"
the South American States Suppose for instance
Grea, Britain ard Venezuela should arrange 'he'.
matters by Venezuela corcedng certain dispu,ea
boundary lire in consideration o. sum OF ''O"ey a,
paid to her by Great Brian Under me & Dav.sh o.,
wc must forbid this and. II necessary nsS' @ oD.n
England ana Nerezusie 70 prem, II, - rom ,;s
py because the Monroe Doctrine distorted 4'o"' 49,"
original intention, says We mt,sf. ...u, 90 .
I beleye fully in this t.me-hOnorei doctrine - =,
guiding principle: 30 not believe IN II as d V'a., an
and ,eitsr II the Davis bill becomes 1dN a.. t's
states OF South America can unload tneit iv.e,si. i.
troubles upon US. They can with impuA!ty iNsu't
and iniure any European nation. and leave US tne
task o; ',fendng them against the cohse!us'SSes S
Tnis + flaculous Is Il no better 10 Keep the uoc.
trne az a principle only and let me oeneciasies ot
H. ramelv' the South and Central American s'd,Ss'
ur derstand that we act upon x under TWO conh.,,
t,ons ouly-when IL becomes matter OF NaNona'
interes; To do So when the protected country a.
cords rs conpen ling Advantages IN we siSPe y. y.
commercial treaties or exclusive prN!ieSes. LEI
there be a fair return made FOR ValAapIe s.t.Er'
rendered Ie, II be understood that any ihterieI-
ence outside OF these circumstances .h M ~ -
haP would be an act OF pure masnanlhity OH OUT
part and not In virtue OF law: , 49,. r,c,ara
II is said and no doubt with truth, tnat Ensiano
has made herse.y hated and feared by her arrosait
dominating pretcnsons all over the woriu, e b,.
cngland never s-t up such platform ot eNSiusIss
control over the destiny Of other nations as Is on
templa,ei by the Davis bill England. az teast,
hacks up her preensons " n overw eimlng iotCs
we or some OF propose 10 antag onlze Chri%stsm SUI
Lon, with an empty Treasury. a Meet Q. a uoLeh
ysrsh IS an army OF - coo men. ana seNridi tao"-
sa nd mil Of unoroieci"i codst anu i'o'' ~ 4.
~ y-NOrk. Ian -. 1917 - " ~