Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-25
ORIGIN OF THE MONROE DOC.
TRlNE,

tered by President Monroe in his mes
sage to congress in 1923 it has stood
as note of warning to the powers of
Europe, that would fain have sought
territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT in the wes-
tern hemisphere. So clearly has the
wisdom of the policy contained in
this declaration been demonstrated
that it has been accepted
by the people of the United States and
given place as one of the unwritten
laws Of the land, without any question
rs to the cause of it's origin.
The causes that led up to the declar-
alton of this policy were the result of
what was at that time unique condi-
lions in the international relations of
this country. Shortly after the over
throw of Napoleon l, the rulers of Rus
STA, Austria, France and Prussia form
ed an alliance. This coalition united
for protection against revolutionary
demonstrations and not against foreign
aggression. In 1920 the allied powers
met at Troppau and agreed that the
main purpose of the alliance should be
to maintain the principle of legitimacy
in existing dynasties, if necessary by
actual and armed interference. In ac-
cordance with measures adopted by
the congress at Laibach in 1920, an up
rising in Naples and Piedmont was put
down by the forces of Austria. Like
wise u revolution in Spain was sup
pressed by the French armies in con-
sequence of resolutions passed at the
in 1922.
At the first two congresses England
had been represented by Castlereagh
who, though not strictly member of
the conference, approved of the meas
ures adopted. When at the point of
starting for Verona, Castlereagh COM
mitted suicide. George Canning, who
then became secretary of state, disap-
proved of the Spanish intervention Aft
er the Spanish restoration of the Span
ish king, Canning thought he had reas-
on to believe that the plan of interview
ton would be applied to the restora-
ton Of power over the American colo
MES, which in 1910 had maintained their
independence from Spanish authority
That independence had already been
acknowledged by the United States.
In the summer of 1923 Mr.. Canning
spoke of his suspicion to Mr.. Rush,
then minister from the Uniter States
to London. He also expressed de-
sire that this country join with him in
endeavoring to thwart the allied pow
ers in their purpose. What followed
this intimation in this country is best
told in the statement of ]. @. Adams
concerning the cabinet meeting held
in September 1923: "The subject for
consideration was the confidential pro-
posal Of Canning, British secretary of
state, to Mr.. Rush, and the correspond
ence between them relating to the pro-
ject of the molly alliance upon South
America. The object OF Canning ap-
pears TO have been to obtain some pub
lie pledge from the United States, os-
tensibly against the forcible interfer-
ence Of the holy alliance between
Spain and South America, but really
or specially against the acquisition by
Of nf fho
ish possessions"
After a long and careful investiga-
ton of the situation it was finally de-
cided that the President should express
\ some disapprobation of the matter in
his message. The passage relating to
this matter was carefully prepared,
much debated in the cabinet sessions
and submitted as finally adopted to
Mr.. Jefferson and Mr.. Madison. The
annual message of 1923 accordingly
contained the passages, which have
come to be known as the Monroe doc.
trine, the substance of which is given
in the following passage:
We owe 1T to the candor and to the
amicable relations existing between
the United States and the allied pow.
ers to declare that we should consid
er any attempt on their part to extend
their system, to any portion of this
hemisphere as dangerous to our peace
and safety. With the existing colonies
or dependencies of any European pow
er We have not interfered; but with
the governments which have declared
their independence and maintained it
and whose independence we have or
great consideration acknowledged, we
could not view an interposition for op
pressing them, or controlling in any
other manner their destiny by any
other European power, in any Other
Hight that as a manifestation of an un