Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-08-04
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
SUGGESTED IN ENGLAND BUT
ANNOUNCED IN AMERICA.
John Davis Explains tho Monroe Doc
trlnc, showing that II Makes Uncle
sam tho Protector or Guardian Of
one.third OF tho World.

without going into history Of the
subject, II may be stated that the
Monroe doctrine properly defined
mems that tho European monarchy
shall not be permitted to acquire fur
thcr territory or foothold in tho Amer
lean hemisphere than is possessed ut
the time tho doctrine was announced
by President Monroe. This doctrine
was first suggested In England, and
Its first use was TO prevent "The Holy
Alliance" OF European monurchs from
attempting to restore TO Spain her re-
volted colonies In America, England,
the United States and all the Ameri-
can Republics approve the Monroe doc
trine and desire Its practical enforce
ment And the nations Of Continental
Europe have tacltly consented TO wit
ness It's enforcement on several occa-
sions
IL is In accordance with the princi-
Piles and logic OF tho Monroe doctrine
that tho nations OF Europe now wit
ness the invanion OF the Spanish Weht
India Islands by tho United States
without protest. but they earnestly
object to the invasion OF the Spanish
possessions in Asiatic waters Admit
ting the force OF tho Monroe doctrine
they are now justified in saying as
Germany has said; "If America Is for
Americans only, then America, only,
Is for Americans" In other words, II
Americans assume the guardianship OF
pne.third Of the world, they should be
content to let all other nations enjoy
the rest There Is reason and justice
In this position, and II seriously dis
puted by us we may find ourselves in
volved in vast deal OF international
trouble.
The question next arises: what
and where are the boundaries Of the
jurisdiction of the Monroe doctrineP"
This question has been partially nu-
Swered by the annexation OF the Ha-
waiian Islands to the United States,
with the tacit approval Of all nations.
They were annexed without protest
because they are nearer TO the Ameri-
can continent than to any other. BY
this rule then the Monroe doctrine
covers all the American continent, and
all countries, lands and waters that
are closer TO the American continent
than to any other, In other words,
the jurisdiction Of the Monroe doctrine
extends north and south, practically,
from pole to pole; and the longitudinal
centers OF the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans from the east and west bound
eies OF said jurisdiction. Measured on
the equator its breadth is perhaps from
east TO west, about eight or nine thou
sand miles 1t comprehends Mt least
onc-third OF the land and water OF the
entire globe. All this vast expanse Of
land and water, is practically aband-
oned by all the great nations to the
guardianship Of the United States, IN
trust, as the home Of American insti-
buttons only. Not one foot OF it is to
be acquired or colonized by any out
side nation or sovereignty; provided
that Americans shall not acquire or
colonize any lands outside of the juris-
diction herein described. That Is pre-
cisely the logic and truth of the situa'
tion,
II Americans will be content to con-
6ne themselves within the jurisdiction
Of the Monroe doctrine, then that doc
trinc becomes good international law,
and we shall forever be free from those
"entangling alliances" which the
great Washington so earnestly advised
his countrymen to shun, We shall not
be annoyed or endangered by the COM
plications of European politics,
On the other hand If we insist on
foreign aggressions and conqNcsts out
side of our allotted hemisphere, then
the authority of the Monroe doctrine
will be disregarded by Others and our
Just and reliable safeguard must fall
to the ground. This would be an in
ternational calamity, full OF dangers
TO the peace of the world.
The present war with Spain has
forced this question to the front and
has made the Monroe doctrine one Of
the most prominent and important of
living political issues. No better time
has ever occurred to define its scope
and authority, 1t is doctrine of or
der, peace and safety for the world. 1t
is a doctrine of liberty for Americans
with their free institutions. 1t unifies
this vast hemisphere and separates it
from the jarring and revolutionary
elements of the old world. 1t is also q
dostrine of Difference and respect to-
ward the United States as the principal
leader and guardian of the American
republics All this is the just logic Of
the present glorious situation, provided