The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-21
COLONIAL DEPENDENCIES
MONROE DOCTRINE AND IT'S RELA-
TION TO NATIONAL EXPANSION.
Maurice Thompson Argues Strongly
Rico and the Philippines.


To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
When James Monroe announced lin his
message of Dec. 9 1929 what has since
been known as the Monroe Doctrine he
simply formulated in short the best course
of self-protection possible to our country.
Monroe was not a dazzling orator, nor was
he a powerful politician in the popular
sense but he was thoughtful and far-see-
ing man. He had clear vision of the dam
ger to our country of European influence in
America. At the present moment his view
is of vital interest.
1t is well to recall the fact that Monroes
celebrat ted doctrine" was given out upon
the prevalent belief that the Holy AL
lance was preparing to support Spain il an
attempt to recover her lost American ter
ritories. The United States was joined by
England in opposing the Spanish policy of
oppression, just as England now upholds us
in resisting the same policy. Peculiarly fit
ting, then. is a careful consideration of the
Monroe doctrine at the present crisis in our
progress.
Said President Monroe in the famous mes
sage, referring directly to European assist
ance in behalf of SPAIN
I'VE would not view any Intervention for
the purpose of depressing them (the former
Spanish colonies) or controlling in any man
ner their destiny. by any European power
in any other light than as the manifestation
of an unfriendly disposition towards the
United States.''
In word the Monroe doctrine is simply
the doctrine of self-defense which forbids
any new foothold being taken in America
by an old world power. The logical expan-
sion of the doctrine is that the United States
means to take care of herself by taking
care that no dangerous ininical power
shall be upreared in America, North or
South Clearly wise purpose, profoundly
based in craftsmanship.
Recently the opponents of annexation
have argued that the Monroe doctrine for
bids by implication if not directly in terms,
the acquisition of foreign territory by the
United States Nothing could be farther
from truth A doctrine sounding in self-de
tense cannot forbid the strengthening OF our
national body and the rounding out of our
national symmetry. 1t was not Mr.. Monroe's
purpose to announce doctrine Of European
safety; he was regarding the future
strength, stability and righteous grandeur
of our country. Doubtless his doctrine does
implicitly give to the old-world nations the
right to defend Themselves against any in
fringement of their rights by us. 1t is a
right that they will exercise at all events,
and in the great game Of progress we have
but to look out for ourselves
REAL CRAFTSMANSHIP.
Forethought is craftsmanship We may
as we'll be considering what we shall have
to decide upon in the near future. 1T is well
to prepare for peace in time of war. In
Fortunately partisan politics is nightly in
the way; it beclouds patriotism and hinders
a clear vision of duty One truth, however,
is clear; we shall have to make ourselves
impregnable to transatlantic and transpa-
cific assaults, or we must not expect to ex-
list another century as first-class power
in the world. Were Great Britain indiffer
ent or inimical to to-day what would be
our prospect? And pleasant as her friend
ship now is we cannot but feel Inundated
knowing how dependent we are upon it for
the outcome of a war even with effete
Spain. 1t is Great Britain, much more than
our navy and army, that is to-day holding
three or four European and. prehaps. at
least one Asiatic power away from inter-
venng in struggle. We must, while we
can, strengthen ourselves SO that this state
of things cannot again close about US.
But how shall we best fortify ourselves
as nation? Glance at the map of North
America. What do we obviously most need?
We need what the British isles have. a
feet and means of circulating that heet
around our entire shore line: 1I But the
cut through it in order to have the ideal
maritime conditions which have for CEN
turtles given Great Britain supremacy on
the seas in both war and peace. To these
conditions Cuba and Porto Rico are physical
menaces so long as we do not control them.
Cuba lies a natural fertilization across the
outlet of the Gulf of Mexico. Suppose that
after we have driven out Spain we Withdraw
from Cuba and Porto Rico, leaving them TO
absolute self-government What right Will
we then have to say yea or nay TO their
dealings with the world? Or suppose that
we assume sort of protectorate; that VIII
give us but feeble influence over a Latin
people whose instincts all turn toward
Europe.
by arms and a conquest by purchase, when
bought are consulted? We took territory
purchase; we took Florida by treaty; we
took Alaska by purchase. In not one OF
these cases did we consult the convenience.
the honor or the will of the lnhabltantS or
the acquired territory. | speak of Mexican
territory outside of Texas for in the case of
Texas there was at least show OF choice.
There was widespread and violent OPPOSE
ton to our taking Texas and the other ter
ritories as a result of the Mexican war; put
what schoolboy now fails to see what
blunder it would have been to have LETT our
national boundary line at the Sabine river
instead of the Rio Grande and the CAN
fornia coast? There was violent Opposition
to the purchase of Alaska; but who wishes
now that we were rid of it? Louisiana and
the Floridas have served us nobly. Should
we care to give them up In n. our presehi r
two months all that Florida ever cost us.
THERE WILL BE OTHER WARS.
Do we dream that this little war with
Spain is the last war-that we shall never
have another? We may have another soon
err than we can get ready for it. Europe is
congested and greedy. Her eyes are upon
us. Asia has young and powerful nation
fast growing into dangerous proportions.
We must have the Nicaragua canal and
control it forever for our national safety.
To control it we must first control Cuba.
There is not another nation upon earth that
would debate for one moment the question
of Cuba at this juncture. Cuba is natural
ly our domain. gulf bulwark. If the
qestion were whether ought to Cypress
the Cubans there could be but one answer;
but If we offer Cuba and Porto Rico the
same benign freedom that Indiana or New
York or Texas has. who shall say that we
have done wrong? Our civilization needs
that territory and that territory needs our
civilization. 1t is now time that cur people
should be made to think on this subject. No
ch hs oS a