The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-04-03
ROOSEVELT ON THE
 MONROE DOCTRINE
Continued from First Page.)


 had no purpose or intention to make even the smallest acquisition of terri tory on the South American continent or the islands adjacent. This volun- tary and friendly declaration was af- terwards repeated to the secretary of state, and was received by the presi- dent and the people of the United States in the frank and cordial spirit in which it was offered. In the memo randum of the 11th of December, his excellency the German ambassador re- peats these assurances as follows: We declare especially that under no cir cumstances do we consider in our pro ceedings the acquisition or the perma- nent occupation of Venezuelan terri tory
 Tn the said memorandum of the 11th of December, the German government informs that of the United States that it has certain just claims for money and for damages Wrongfully withheld from German subjects by the govern ment of Venezuela, and that it pro- poses to take certain coercive measures described in .he memorandum to en- force the payment of these just claims.
 "The president os the United States, appreciating the courtesy of the Ger man government in making him ac- quainted with the state of affairs re- ferred to, and not regarding himself as called upon to enter into the consider ation of the claims in question, be- lieves that no measures will be taken in this matter by the agents of the German governemnt which are not in accordance with the we'll known pur- pose, above set forth, of his majesty the German emperor"
 Sir Michael Herbert to the Marquis of Lansdowne.
 Washington, Nov. 1S, 1902.
 q communicated to MT. Hay this morning the substance of your lord ships telegram of the 11th instant. F: His excellency stated in reply, that the United States government, although they, regretted that European powers should use force against Central and South American countries, could not object to their taking steps to obtain redress for injuries suffered by their subjects, provided that no acquisition of territory was contemplated
 Both powers assured us in explicit terms that there was not the slightest intention on their part to violate the principles of the Monroe doctrine, and this assurance was kept with an hon. orable good faith which merits full ac- knowledgment on our part. At the . same time, the existence of hostilities in region so near our own borders was fraught with such possibilities of danger in the future that it was ob- Viously no less our duty to ourselves than our duty to humanity to en- deayor to put an end to that. Accord ingly, by an offer of our good services in spirit of frank friendliness to all parties concerned, a spirit in which they quickly and cordially responded, we se- cured a resumption of peace-the con tending parties agreeing that the mat ters which they could not settle among themselves should be referred to The Hague tribunal for settlement. The United States had most fortunately al- ready been able to set an example to other nations by utilizing the great possibilities for good contained in The Hague tribunal, question at issue be- tween ourselves and the Republic of
 
 z international court of arbitration.
 The terms which we have secured as those under which the isthmian canal is to be built and the course of events in the Venezuelan matter have shown not merely the ever growing influence of the United States in the western hemisphere, but also, I think I may safely say, have exemplified the firm purpose of the United States that its growth and influence and power shal rebound not to the harm but to the ben eft of our sister republic whose strength is less.
 The Monroe doctrine is not interna- 5 tional law, and though think one day it may become such, this is not neces- sary as long as it remains cardina features of our foreign policy and as long as we possess both the will and the strength to make it effective. This last point, my fellow citizens is all i'm. portant, and is one which as a people we can never afford to forget. I believe in the Monroe doctrine with all my heart and soul; I am convinced that 2 the immense majority of our fellow countrymen so believe in it; but would infinitely prefer to see us aban- don it than to see us put it forward and bluster about it, and yet fail to build UT < the efficient fighting strength which ir the last resort can alone make it re- epected by any strong foreign power whose interests it may ever happen tc be to violate it.
 Boosting and clustering are as objec- tionable among nations as among indi- viduals, and the public men Of a great nation owe it to their sense of nationa . seif-respect to speak courteously of for eign powers, just as a brave and self respecting man treats all around him courteously. But though to boast is bad and causelessy to insult another worse: yet worse than all is it to be guilty of boasting, even without insult and when called to the proof to be un- able to make such boasting good. There is homely old adage which runs: Speak softly and carryN big stick; you will go far" If the American na- tion will speak softly, and yet build, and keep at a pitch of the highest training a thoroughly efficient navy, the Monroe doctrine will go far. I ask you to think over this. If you do you will come to the conclusion that it is mere plain common sense, SC obviously sound that only the blind can fail to see it's tr1lth