The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-28
Monroe's Doctrine Up to Date.

On the afternoon before his sudden
death the late Edward B. Cooke, or
Chicago. who represented with signal
ability the Fourth Illinois district in
congress. visited the Washington cor
respondent of the Philadelphia Press,
Mr.. Gibson, at the latter's office. and
talked for an hour or more about the
Cuban problem, in which Mr.. Cooke
was deeply interested. During that
conversation he outlined basis of
American intervention in Cuba which
is worthy of consideration inasmuch as
it proposes a sweeping amplification of
the Monroe doctrine.
Mr.. Cooke first pointed out that un-
der the Monroe doctrine we refuse to
allow nations in the other hemisphere
to acquire dominion or control over
American soil or American states, for
the reason that our own safety and dig
nifty may be disturbed or threatened by
such foreign acquisition or aggression.
But he also called attention to the fact
that our dignity as a nation and the
peace of mind of our citizens are dis
tyranny prevails near our own boun-
dares. This fact he offered as a suffi-
cient warrant for the enunciation by
our government of a corollary of the
Monroe doctrine to this effect: when
any people in this hemisphere demand
local self-government against for
eign tyrannical or other oppressive
government, and where such people,
being so oppressed, resort to war in
good faith seeking to gain their free
dom, then the government of the
United States will not remain neutral,
but will, when so disposed, decree, and
enforce the decree, that such oppress-
ed people shall be and forever after re-
main free, with full right to choose
their own form and method of govern
ment, and to thereafter control their
own destiny"
Mr.. Cooke added, these being almost
his last words:
The letter of the Monroe doctrine is
that no foreign policy shall make aggres-
sions or acquire by force territory or
dominion over people within this hem
ing foreign power to perpetuate and
maintain a cruel and heartless tyranny
by force of the bayonet over people at
our doors who are weak and defense
less: who are seeking for and declaring
their right to local self-government; who
are claiming the right to life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness, which our Dec
laration of independence declares to be
the inalienable right Of man; who are
waging in tho throes of agony, starva-
ton and death a second prolonged and
desperate war for independence, and who
are in good faith struggling TO secure and
maintain their own local self-government
and freedom. The failure of the United
States to act in this Cuban matter is In
my mind most deplorqble and is disgrace
ful to us as a nation"
1t is said the principle phrased by
Mr.. Cooke has so favorably impressed
the president that it will appear
in substance in the correspondence
which this government will soon
address to Spain. How true this
conjecture is cannot yet be known;
but we feel within bounds in say
| ing that should William Mckinley
affirm such a doctrine in the name and
! over the seal of the United States II
would afford him and his administra-
ton a truer claim to the esteem of
his contemporaries and to the applause
| of history than any other ten acts
| which as president he will be called
! upon to perform.
|