Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-11-21
FIRM ON MONROEISM
Roosevelt's Message Will Take
Stand Against European
Encroachment.
The American Sphere Is Fixed viii
Oppose Direct Acquisition OF Terri
tory or Purchase OF Coaling
Stations,

No European encroachment upon tho
soil of America, either by direct acquisi-
tion or by the pure base of cOaling sta
lions. Is to be one of the keynotcs of
President RoosCyelt's message to Con-
gross. The President is to have some
thing to say about the Monroc-doc trin",
and he Will speak in no uncertain wor4s,
says Walter Wellman in the Chicago Rec
ord-fIerad. He intends to reafiirm the
vital principle Of Monrocism and to APP
ply it to modern conditions. In the = cs-
iGCnt's opinion consistent enforcement
of tho Monroe doctrine requires the I'M
ted states to object to the establishment
of foreign naval stations in the special
sphere Of American interest and iniiu'n nee
namely, the West Indies, the Caribbean
Sea and the 1sthmus OF Darien.
on account OF the acquisition by the
United States of Porto Rico, our sue
rainty over Cuba our contemplated pur-
chase of the Danish Islands in the West
indies and the moral certainty That soon
er or later the United states will dig an
isthminn canal, the interests Of tho I'M
ted States in that region assume para
mountcy over those OF all other powers.
The West Indies and the isthmus arc, in
other words zane of American special
interest, and the Caribbean is an Ameri-
can sea.
10 safeguard the rights of the United
states III inns region with an ulVl''"tc
view TO protection N the canal ~ pun :
pose near to the heart Of President
Roosevelt. Hence his rcaffirmation of the
Monroe doctrine and hence his desire 50
to state his position that foreign govern
mcnts may read between the lines and
NhdtrStahd mat naval stations are H"t I"
he had within striking distance OF th''
proposed canal without mourning the as
pleasure OF the United states.
The United States Is Undertaking a
great responsibility in the lsthmuS. IL
proposes to construct canal costing ut
least H",Vo'yo" ana perhaps @"'oo''' .
IL Undertakes TO Keep that waterway "P' Il
tC the ships OF all nations on equal tcrHlS'
IN times of peace. In war times II halut
any VIII nave 10 dciend the 'ahal IT. Il
part or lts coast inc as n central lratu'o
of its scheme OF natordl defense. Hen'o
II would b" too!ishly hort-sighted OF the
United states to permit other great pow
ers TO secur" a stront foothold IN IN" mn
mediate ncighborhood Of IN" canal. II is
not the intention Of the United states u
permit any such footholds to be secured.
The policy which the President Is ahoVt
TO declare means nothing that can rea-
sonahly be construed as an uniriendly
language Will" or unmistakple signih-
canoe, Will be carefully chosen with :
view to avoid giving of1c--o. wen II
there We're no such thing as a Monroe
doctrine in existence, stu the Cntei
states would be Jusuiled' according 10
the usages Of nations, in adopting Just
such measures of self-protection. This is
true because the interests Of the United
states in the isthmus and the adJacf nj
landS ana waters are almost INFINITELY
superior to those of othcr powers.
Whatever may be said about lower