The Advocate and news., 1898-04-27
ThenMonroe Doctrine and Cuba.


to possible attempts of European ma
tiOns to extend their territory or gov
ernmental influence in regions OF the
Western hemisphere at the time In law
full and undisputed jurisdiction OF Ameri-
can governments. The Spanish colo
MES In South and Central America and
Mexico had secured their independence
and set up governments Of their own
which they were successfully maintain
ing, and which had been duly TecOg-
nized by the United States after prudent
examination and patient waiting. 1t
was proposed among the allied powers
(Great Britain, France, Austria, Prussia
and Russia) to assist Spain IN an at
tempt to recover her lost American col
onies. This proposition was objected
to by Great Britain. At the same time
the northwestern boundary line OF the
United States was unsettled, and Rus
sia had expressed desire for an early
adjustment of the matter. Mr.. Monroe
was President at the time and availed
himself OF the opportunity which the
boundary question afforded to express
the view which the people and the gov
ernment OF this country took OF the
proposed reopening of hOstilities between
Spain and these independent States to
the south Of us. So, in his message to
Congress, December 2, 1923, after re-
ferring to the proposal OF the Russian
Imperial government" and the authOri-
zation of our Minister at st. Petersburg
to arrange, by amicable negotiation"
the respective rights and interests of the
parties to the boundary question, the
President said: "The government Of the
United States has been desirous, by this
friendly proceeding, Of manifesting the
great value which they have invariably
attached to the friendship OF the En-
peror, and their solicitude to cultivate
the best understanding with his gov
ernment. In the discussions to which
this interest has given rise, and In the
arrangements by which they may ter
inmate, the occasion has been judged
proper for asserting, as principle In
which the rights and interests OF the
United States are involved, that the
American continents, by the free and in
dependent condition which they have
assumed and maintained, are henceforth
not to be considered as subjects for fu-
ture colonization by any European pow
ers"
Y The President then referred in words
of sympathy to the local troubles Of
Spain and Portugal, and proceeded:
''In the wars OF the European powers,
in matters pertaining to themselves, we
have never taken any part, nor does 1t
comport with our policy so to do. 1t Is
only when our rights are invaded, or
seriously menaced, that we resent lnju
ries, or make preparation for our de-
fense. With the movements in this
hemisphere we are, OF necessity, more
Immediately connected, and by causes
which must be obvious to all enlight-
ened and impartial observers. The po-
litical system Of the allied powers Is
essentially different, In this respect,
from that Of America. This difference
proceeds from that which exists in their
respective governments. We
owe 1t, therefore, to candOr and to the
amicable relations existing between the
United States and those powers to de-
clare that we should consider any at
tempt on their part to extend their SyS-
tenn to any portion Of this hemisphere
as dangerous to our peace and safety.
With the existing colonies and depend
encies of any European power we have
not interfered and shall not interfere.
But, with the governments who have
declared their independence and main
talned 1t, and whose independence we
have, on great consideration, and on
just principles, acknowledged, we could
not view any interpositlon for the pur-
pose of depressing them, or controlling,
in any other manner, their destiny, by
any European power, in any other light
than as the manifestation Of an un-
friendly disposition toward the United
States. In the war between these new
governments and Spain we declared our
neutrality at the time Of their recogni-
tion, and to this we have adhered and