The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-10-18
TIE PAN.AMgRIcAM CONGRESS.

The Monroe doctrine may not become the subject
of formal discussion at the PanAmerican Congress
in the City of Mexico week. but it must of
necessity obtude itself at every stage of the proceed
ings.
That doctrine stands between the Latin-American
people trying to demonstrate their right winners of
their independence hold intellectually rich CONT
nent, and European nations, such Germany, seeking
to reinforce their position great commercial and
maritime powers It's maintenance is vital to the
South American States sparse is their population
compared to their vast territories and weak as they
their ealousies that invite aggression upon their
tempting domnions.
Speaking OF the Monroe doctrine in the memorable
address delivered at Buffalo the Monday before he
was shot President Mckinley said: The Monroe doc.
trne is not international law, but there no necessity
that it should be. All that is needed is that should
continue to he cardinal feature of American policy
this continents and the Spanish American States
should in their interests champion it as strongly
as we do. We do not by this doctrine intend to sane
tion any policy of aggression by American com.
monweah at the expense of any other. any policy
of commercial discrimination against any foreign pow
er whatsoever Commercially far as this doctrine
is concerned, All wish is a fair field and no favor;
but if we wise shall strenuously insist that
under pretext whatsoever shall there he any terri
toral ACKNOWLEDGEMENT on American soil by any Euro
pean power and this, no matter what form the terri
torial ACKNOWLEDGMENT may take"
This was clear enough to show that, correctly in
erpretod, the Monroe doctrine operates principally in
the interest of the South American States Unfor-
mnaely, however, the tendency of McIinleys policy
toward territorial acknowledgements policy which his
successor does not intend to abandonwas sufficiently
plain to alarm the people Of the South American CONT
Incnt For year more South American papers have
charging the United States with having developed
an aggressive disposition and suspecng this country
of having fallen a victim to territorial greed
Tho charge of the South American papers has been
denied by republican organs which declare that de.
cidedly the Americans do not want to gain new terri
tory by exercise force and point to our at
itudo toward Cuba true test of feelings in this
matter. We arc about to withdraw from Cuba they
say leaving it to independent government of its
own, notwithstanding great desire to possess that
island. But they omit referring the fact that the
Independence are agreeing to for Cuba is more
nominal than real, and that lconcealed hope is
that will prove failure in anticipation of annexa
ton, to bring about which doing our best TO
create sentiment favorable to that purpose As to
our Philippine policy the organs referred to remain
silent in this connection.
| Naturally suspicious, the South American people
can not, under such circumstances, help fearing us
Notwithstanding such expressions those of President
Mckinley quoted above, and delegates to the Pan
American congress should therefore address them
selves to correcting the impression American policies
of the past few may have made upon them Left
to grow that impression might become strong enough
to impel some Of the South American States to seek
European alliances that would lead to just such viola
tons of territorial integrity as the Monroe doctrine
was laid down to prevent