The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-09-30
A QUEER VIEW OF THE MONROE
DOCTRINE.

Under the above heading tbs Virgin
ian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va, has the fol
lowing to say
Discussing Chauncey Drpew's re-
mark that England assents to the Mon
roe doctrine because it would protect
her possessions in this hemisphere from
seizure by an enemy in case OF war, the
Petersburg Index-Appeal sayc:
The United States complaisantly
| played cat's-paw to the politicians OF
| Cuba in driving III Spaniards from that
island, but they will hardly play police
man for England in protecting her
American possessions against any enc
my she may be al war with. II the
Monroe doctrine imposes any such duty
as that or the United States. then the
sooner the doctrine is amended the surer
1t will be to escape complete abolition.
At best, the Monroe doctrine IS a prin-
| ciple which mo be sustained by ar
gument and can be defended only by
force. In it's enforcement. therefore, it
is necessary to be cautious not to ex-
tend it so far beyond the bounds Of rea-
son, consistency n justice as TO out
rage the patience and liberation of the
rest of the world, and thus provoke the
resentment and the resistance of the
other powers Be it remembered that
ilo iillCIl dliOIIdI IIlDullGl Ld0 given LII
Monroe doctrine its sanction, and it ex-
lists only in a declaration by the United
States and q quasi acquieScence of the
rest of the world
Wherefore a cat's-paw. Let us at
least hold on to the one cre3itable in
cident of the whole affair-the chival-
rous interference in behal of Cuba.
"As for the Depew Interpretation of
the Monroe doctrine. we agree with he
Index-Appeal as to the absurdity of it.
1t is a matter of Indifference to the
United State what foreign power holds
Canada or Jamaica. Tie Monroe doc
trine merely forbids the acquisition by
a foreign owe of territory in this
hemisphere not low dominated by any
foreign power.
"Of course, if, in case OF war between
England and Germany, say Canada
should be invaded and should raise a
cry for help. On the ground that she is
virtually autonomous, it is lard to say
what might happen. But ona thing is
~terfere it would mean an end of ever
nominal allegiance to Great Britain on
the part of Canada"
Is Mr.. Depew's such Il queer view of
the Monroe doctrine? World the United
States allow the sovereignty of any Eu-
ropean possession on the American con-
tinent to change hands? Would she al
low England to cede any of her West
Indian or her North American territory
to another of the powers of Europe? If
she would not allow the voluL- tary ces-
sion of such territory she would not
submit to its changing hands as the
consequence of a successful war against
England. At one time during the early
stages Of the negotiations for our pur-
chase of the Danish West India islands
the intimation was mace that if we did
become the purchaser they would
be disposed of by Denmark to Germany
wished to gain a foothold in the New
World and the statement was then made
in Washington City, though not official
ly, that our government would con-
slider uch a transfer a violation of the |
Monroe doctrine.
1t is claimed in some u ters that
the principles of that doctrine maintain
ritory must remain in statu quo or if
there is a change it must be to that of
absolute freedom from European sover-
of the territory i'm question. For
example our government would consider |
it as much a violation of the Monroe |
for Germany to acquire control
and possession of Canada or any of the
West India Stands now owned by Eng
land. France or Denmark as it was for |
France to attempt to take possession of |
Mexico OF England to attach to her
present possessions a part Oh the free
state of Venezuela. This is 4 very ad-
~csition, but Mir. Depew is by
no means the first American who has
taken it and it has become to b
thought by many as O. natura, outcome
of the position of President Monroe.