The aegis & intelligencer., 1902-12-19

with thepolicy ofpinning this coun-
try down to clearly defined and re-
stricted application of the doctrine
which has long been a source of an
noyance to the powers of Europe. 1t
is apprehended by some that All
opening has been made through
which the powers are in danger OF
falling into error as to what they
may do without coming into conflict
with the United States.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
Appropos to the Venezuelan e1n-
broglio the following comment on
the Monroe Doctrine proves interest
ing reading. 1t is from the pen of
the President of Princeton Universi-
ty.
"Mr. Monroe" writes Prof Wood
row Wilson in his History of the
American People" !" took an early
opportunity to domesticate, as it
were, the very foreign policy of the
Government by confning its issues to
the Americas. European statesmen
were putting their houses in order
after the convulsions ofthe Napoleon
ic wars establishing once more
the balance of power and the rights
of shaken dynasties. Finding their
careful work likely to be marred and
rendered of no avail by the passion
for liberty y y they drew their
states together under the leadership
of Austria and her consummate
Metternich to crush every rising,
silence every demand for. liberal re-
form and make good the jeopardized
absolutism of their kings throughout
the length and breadth of Europe.
"Their reactionary purpose having
been accomplished with some touch
Of thoroughness on the Continent it
self, Spain prayed them to assist her
to win the revolted colonies Of South
America back to her crown, and they
seemed about to accede to her prayer.
Mr.. Canning, England's watchful
Minister, saw at once the peril there
would be in that to England's trade
in the South. He proposed,
therefore, to Mr.. Rush, the American
Minister in London, that the United
States should join with England in
protesting against the attempt of
any outside power to restore Spain's
authority in America. Mr.. Adams,
the Secretary Of State did not relish
the suggestion, though he approved
the object. \ = Mr.. Monroe ac-
CeptSu HIS NlSW III IHC HidllSl. "A
different but no less effective step was
taken. In 1922 the President had
recognized the independence of South
American republics. In his annual
message of December, 1928, he told
Congress and the world what at
titude he meant to take toward any
attempt on the part of the European
powers "to extend their system to
any portion of this hemisphere" " =
No one could mistake the meaning
of the words, and Spain's plans in
the south were given up.
"What had made the matter seem
the more exigent and important was
the unpleasant fact that Russia was
gaining a foothold in North America
itself. Russian fur traders were push
ing and extending their trade not
only in Alaska but also along the
coasts to the southwark and nearer
to Oregon. n The Gar claimed all
of the coast waters of the region as
his own and forbade seamen of any
other nation to approach within 100
miles of the American coast north of
the fifty-frst parallel. Mr.. Adams
had feared that should the European
coalition, of which the Gar was so
influential member, interfere in the
affairs of Spain at the south Russia
might take the Spanish province of
California as compensation for her
trouble and shut the doors of the
Pacific once for all against the ex-
panding union. Mr.. Monroe, there
fore spoke very plainly upon that
point also in his message. These
decisive words proved sufficient.
Whatever may have been Russia's
plans, she did not care to force them
now; and in the closing months of
Mr.. Monroe's administration she
agreed to a treaty in which it was
stipulated that the fisheries and the
and the navigation ofthe Pacific were
to be open to both parties, and that
the line $40 4O' north latitude should
divide their future settlement.
The Monroe Doctrine is stated in
precise terms in the following extracts
from President Monroe's message to
Congress on December 2, 1923: ."In
the wars of the European powers i'll
matters relating to themselves we
have never taken any part, nor does
| it comport with our policy to do So