The Washington times., 1902-12-20
Party Leaders Not Disposed
to Lend Their Approval
10 Henry Watterson'S Edi-
tOrIai Declaration.
Repudiate the Kentuckian S
Proposition for Readjust-
ment of Time-Honored
Policy Of the Government.
Believe 1t Wise If Only for
Self-Defense = Are In
clined to Regard Editors
Expression as Eccentric.

La CSSlOll d. ECCGllIlC.
Democrats in Congress. as a general
rule. do not approve the declaration OF
Henry Watterson. as expressed in his
'COurier-Journal' editorial. that the
United States should abandon the Mon
roe Doctrine. Among members OF both
houses the feeling. since the Joint dem
onstration OF Great Britain and Ger
many against Venezuela. is stronger
than ever in s=~or OF adbering to the
principle
While e is admitted that in some OF
the South and Central American eoun-
tries there Is a tendency 70 hide behind
the Monroe Doctrine for the purpose Of
avoiding payment Of just debts and
claims. 10 f. felt that such acts are not
sufficient TO warrant the United States
in abandoning its time-zUnored policy.
With Democrats. there is a feeling Of
reverence for tradition. and with them
the Monroe Doctrine has come 10 be
tradition and they are in favor OF
maintaining il.
Wise if Only for Self Defense.
The chief point which is made in op-
position to the argument OF Nj Waiter
son. is that the United States should
maintain the Monroe Doctrine as mat
ter or elf-protection-that this IS para
noun, 20 the question Of preventing the
overthrow Of the weaker states OF South
and Central America by the powers OF
Europe. European powers. 1t is argued.
have respected the Doctrine for SO many
years that e. would be an Indication OF
weakness and a backdown on the part OF
The United states to abandon the prin-
eipIe.
C0ngressmen point TO the fart hat the.
mere reassertion OF the Monroe Doc-
trine and the declaration that this eoun-
try would enforce it brought England
promptly to terms when Cleveland ~as
President. aad that even in the present
controversy both England and Germany
approached this Government 20 inquire
hos s-- hey would be allowed 10 pro-
ceed without incurring the displeasurs
OF the United States.
Altogether Democrats are inclined TO
regard Dir. Watterson's expression as ec-
centric. aud not at all representative OF
the sentiments Of Democrats throughout
the country.
Senator Simmons Views.
senator Simmons OF North Carolina be-
.Icves the members Of the minority party
lin Congress would express themselves
almost unanimously in favor OF the Ad-
.miuistrati0n's attitude in the Venezuelan
.anair. were it possible to obtain the
views Of all He believes President
.Roosevelts Interpretation Of the Monroe
Doctrine gives evidence Of sound business
Judgment. and that the provisions Of this
declaration Of 1923 are strengthened
rather than weakened by the Govern
.ment's policy - this latest test OF the
Doctrines effectiveness
Mr. simmons views were elicite9 by
a discussion following the reading OF
Henry Watterson's editorial advocating
a reconstruction OF the Doctrine. He
does not take issue with the Democratic
editor on questions of party principles:
in fact just the reyerse. He said.
Il have a profound respect for Mr.
Wattcrson s opinion. I consider him one
Of the greatest literary geniuses CT the
age and his advice is generally 10 Ie
followed with the utmost safety and sat
isfacti0n. but the Monroe Doctrine is not
party declaration. IJ belongs TO the
Government. no matter which party is
in power. and it should be supported alb
solUtely-the slightest deviation would
be inadvisable, and we. as a united peo-
pie should see 90 it that IL is carried
out 70 the letter
Il am not sure that we do not need
the Monroe Doctrine now more than
before II seems a safe one 90 tie
to. it has served the country we'll in
several trying situations: 80 has been
a power as preventive against
threatening complications. and above
certainly would not be wise to admit
now that a. has weaknesses-and for
americans TO pick flaws which foreign
powers have been unable TO End surely
would be- folly. Fer my part / cannot
see the need Of modification or recon
strucJiOn-
NO other country should be Permitted
TO Eain f0OrhOld in South America.
don't know that we want the iahd down
there, but certainly We doa't want any
one else tc get IT, Some day we may
ind 10 advisable 10 procure South Ameri-
can possessions. Z believe We shall
not soon, perhaps. but some day
ReadjustmeHt Not Needed.
Representative A. S. Burleson tDem..
Tex, member Of the House Committee
on Foreign Affairs, Il do not believe
the Monroe Doctrine could be expressed
more clearly today than it was by Pres
ident Monroe. Neither do I believe the
present situation requires any readjust-
mont Of the Monroe Doctrine. think
Mr.. Watterson has mistaken idea OF
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