The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-12-27

ieluIIl We Slitll give lllelu tQc WOFtll OF
their money during the coming year.
WHAT is THE MONROE DOCTRINE?
In view of the fact that so much
has been said about the Monroe Doc
trine in connection with the Venezue-
Ian imbrogliO, the Irish Standard
quotes the following passage from
President Nlonroes memorable mes
sage Of Dec. 2, 1923, when referring
to steps taken to arrange the respec-
tive rights of Russia, Great Britain
and the United States on the North
west coast Of the American continent:
''In the dicussions to which this in
terest has given rise, and in the ar
engagements by which they may termi-
nate, the occasion has been deemed
proper for asserting, as a principle in
which the rights and interests of the
United States are involved, that the
American continents, by the free and
independent condition which they have
assumed and maintain, are henceforth
not to be considered as subjects for
future colonization by any European
power. IL
1--WE owe it, therefore, to cantlor and
to the amicable relations existing be-
tween the United States and those
powers to declare that we should con-
slider amy attempt on their part to eX-
tend their system to any portion of this
hemisphere as dangerous to our peace
and safety. With the existing colonies
or dependencies of amy European power
we have not interfercd and shall not
Interfere.
But with the governments who have
declared their independence and main
tlin it, and whose independence we
have, on great consideration and on
just principles, acknowledged, we
could not view amy interposition for
the purpose Of expressing them or COIL
trolling in any other manner their des-
tiny by any European power in any
other light than as the manifestation
OF an unfriendly disposition toward
the United States
That is all there is concerning the
declaration of which so much is said at
present OH both sides OF the Atlantic,
and for the maintenance Of which tho
American people are willing to fight
both Germany and England if they
seize any Venezuelan territory in pay
ment Of any claims against the little
republic. Not in eighty years have
any European powers tried to grab
any land on this continent. During
Clevcland'S administration England
showed disposition to encroach on
Venezuelan territory. but the famous
Olncy note scared her Off. Perhaps in
alliance with Germany she may try
again to obtain foothold. The Lon
don Sunday Review, Of Dec. 10, thinks
the United States is inundated, for ii
says:
1.-The reason the United States has
not applied the Monroe Doctrine in the
present instance is she is powerless to
do So The statement that she would
only interfere to prevent the loss of
territory is an idle boast, and must re-
main so as long as the American navy
is not equal to the combined navies of
the Allied Powers. The European
concert can parcel out the whole Of
South America. President Roosevelt's
declarations are valueless."
We think President Roosevelt is
strenuous enough to defend the doc
trlne Of his distinguished predecessor.
When this country was much weaker
than it is now, it was ready to fight
for the principle enunciated by MoM-
roe in his message to Congress. Per-
haps the United States made mis-.
take in going to the Philippines. II Il
war ellsucs over the Venezuelan mat.
ter, we could not very we'll protect our
Oriental possessions from attack. If
Germany and England so too far W"
have two old-timc friends to help us
France aud Russia. In amy event, it is
well to be ready to meet any hostile
demonstration on the part of the Anglo
German allies. If they are permitted
by the United States to place a mort
gage on Venezuela for the payment of
doubtful claims, the Monroe Doctrine
whole Of the South American II puhlicS
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