The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-20
The Real rIonroe Doctrine.

For the purpose of preventing future
doubt as to the scope and meaning of
the American principle commonly
known as the Monroe doctrine. the
senate committee on foreign affairs has
embodied that principle in resolution
prepared by Senator Davis, of Mime
sofa. This resolution will be reported
to the senate today, and If passed will
constitute a distinctly forward step in
American diplomacy. After asserting
that the acquisition by purchase, ag-
gression or otherwise Of any territory
on the American continent by foreign
power is an unfriendly act, and that
such acquisition will not be permitted
by the United States, the resolution
lays down the important additional
putes on the American continent be-
between foreign governments and
American governments are decided by
arbitration, agreement, purchase or in
any manner whatever, the United
States shall be the sole Judge as to
whether the Monroe doctrine has been
violated in such arbitration or agree
ment. The resolution adds that Ameri-
can nations will be protected in their
rights to combine or to acquire terri
tory by purchase or conquest from
each other. but not to ALLEVIATE their
land to any foreign power.
Very naturally, apologists for the ad-
ministration. which, in the correspond
ence with Lord Salisbury over the Ven
ezuelan boundary issue, threw one-half
of the real Monroe doctrine away, are
up in arms against this resolution,
which, they protest goes too far. Their
attitude is thus reflected by Walter
Wellman, prince imperial of the WASH
ington newspaper cuckoos:
If Lodge. Cullom and Davis have their
way, and pledge the faith Of the country
to the doctrine which forbids European
acquisition by any means, 1t is pretty well
settled that a number of American govern
ments will repudiate il so far as ii ap-
plies to them. Proud little Chile will lead
this procession. and will improve the first
opportunity to ask the United States when
and where it acquired the right to way
that she as an Independent power cannot
sell or cede a part of her territory to a
European government If she wishes to do
so. Brazil would probably follow in Chile's
wake and reject the proposed suzerainty Of
the United States. No one would be sur
prised If half the American republics did
the same thing. and that would be a fine
way to establish Monroeism on these con-
tinents. wouldn't 1t?
1t is sufficient answer to this conjec-
ture that the emergency in contempla-
tion can be faced when it actually arises.
If the United States has any right, DO
litical or moral, to stop seizure of
South or Central American territory by
a foreign power by force, it must have
an equal right to prevent the alienation
Of such territory by other than forcible
means. No line can safely be drawn
between these rights. 1t is not probable
that the United States would feel called
upon to exercise it's right of interven-
ton In the case of a small sale of ter
ritory such as would not threaten the
balance of power in the New World or
menace the perpetuity of republican in
stitutions. Its waiving of such right in
any particular case would be a waiver
for that case alone; it would not, how
ever, have the force of general re-
nunciation. The fundamental right,
once clearly asserted, would exist as a
permanent bulwark against European
aggression in any portion of the Ameri-
can hemisphere.
This Davis doctrine may, at first read
Ing. seem little robust; but it is the
cold, hard logic Of the situation; and We