The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-16
The Mckinley Doctrine.

IF the Paris Matin is correct the
emperor of Germany is about to add
TO his multifarious and ubiquitous
duties the self-imposed task of giving
n new Interpretation to the Monroe
doctrine. The exegess will demand
more labor than he possibly anticipates.
America is prepared to stand by the
Monroe doctrine, just as it stands by
the integrity of the constitution. Tho
doctrine or policy attributed to James
Monroe is as little in conflict with the
political aspirations of the Fdropean
powers in their course of colonial ag-
grandizement as is the iviolability Of
the confederation of the German en-
pire. The basic principle of the Mon
roc doctrine is the integration OF the
American continent; the restraint OF
Eostile nations from establishing them
solves side by side in the Western hem
isphere, as they are now doing in China
and in Africa.
The Monroe doctrine can be of little
value as a moral force unless it is
Upheld by physical force. 1t is quite
true that the Monroe doctrine has been
tacitly accepted by Europe since we
incorporated in our national political
system but this has been simply be-
cause we have not once UP to the
present time come into open conflict
with a European power over an issue
bearing upon that doctrine. The idea
of the Emperor William seems to be
that we have abrogated the Monroe
doctrine by our occupation of the
Philippine islands; that as we have fol-
| lowed a policy seemingly in conflict
| doctrine ~ waSing 4 war of aggres-
| sion on European power and occupy
! ing or intending to occupy a portion
of her territories, We are not entitled
| To claim from other states an acquie-
scence in the Monroe doctrine except
| such as we may impose by force. 1t
were easy to establish that this in
| depreciation is faiidcious in all things
| save its recognition of the sovereignty
of force. We never said that if a Euro
| pean rower misbehaved to us and to
| humanity we should withhold the hand
of punis hment. We simply said that if
! Europe would let us alone so far as
| trying to overthrow our sovereignty
we would keep out of Europe's intri-
CUES and combines. ard we have done
| So
The course of Germany in the Philip
| pines, therefore. has 10 more Correla-
tnn with the Monroe doctrine than ii
has with the Thirty Nine Articles. We
are at war with Spain, and by all rights
ard obligations Of international law
we are entitled during that war neither
to assistance nor to resistance from the
powers. War implies the minimum of
| responsibility ard consideration
towards the enemy. If Germany be-
| lieves that bringing comfort to the
| enemy is none Of our business, we must
simply enforce the lesson that it is.
If the European chancelleries are now
discussing the eventual intervention of
the powers in the Philippine islands, let
them go on discussing. 1t will not
,epd to modify our policy a hairs
breadth. The Monroe doctrine warns
European land-Srabbers off the Ameri-
can hemisphere because their absence
is essential to our welfare. The defeat
of Spain being at this time also essential
To our welfare we shall administer it
whore we please and in the settlement
of peace make and enforce our own
terms. That will he, not the Monroe,
but the Mckinley doctrine. 1t is a
logical outgrowth of the Monroe doc
trine and it is made necessary at this
time Ivy the enlarged position and re-
sponsibilities to which the war with
Spain has Unexpectedly brought us.