The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-03-06
NATION BEHIND ROOSEVELT

herein quoted is the substance of Ger
nany's contention rather than from
any specific language that has been
employed by them.
The time has arrived when the AM
erican people must face the serious is
sues that grow out from our 50 years
of enforcement Of the doctrine that
was enuneiated by President Monroe in
1888. We must realize that il is not
smau thing for this nation to issue
8 virtual command 10 the powers q
the world. inhibiting them from terri
torial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in south Ameri-
ca. And. Ii we are to reiterate such q
command we must be eady to back it
with the necessary sinews of war,
Germany argued, during the recent
Venezuelan negotiations, that, il the
United states claimed she right to con-
tinue the Monroe doctrine in force. it
must accept the logical accompaniment
responsibility for the financial obli-
cations of the South American ccun-
tries to protect which the United States
originally formulated the doctrine of
European non-interference or acquisi-
tion-
Ii must be admitted that there Is
moaicum of reason in Gerinany's con-
tention A privilege logically carries
an accompanying duty. And, i the
United States claims The privilege of
debating the South American status it
must not fcrego completely all iespcns-
ibility for snch obligations as South
American powers may create.
Germany. from Germany's point of
view, is correct She sees, and correct
Iy, too. that the United States, through
President Monroe, enuneiated the
Monroe doctrine through selfish mot
ives. 1t is bosh for US to pretend to
any other and higher sentiment than
self-interest in the premises. Presi-
dent Monroe was safeguarding the
country of which he was the executive
head. He was not actuated by any
lofty notion of making this nation the
Arcadiaa protector Of those smaller
peoples to the south of us The Mon
roe doctrine is justified emily as a
means of necessity for US.
These are cold-blooded truth:
whence we have no escape. Lei
us not fail to do ourselves the justice
of telling ourselves the truth about
ourselves.
And yet, when all has been said ant
due justice has been done to Ger
many's contention. there remains jus
one conclusion of the whole matter
the Monroe doctrine must be maintain
ed. 1t must be maintained at any cost
The United States will back 1t witt
money and men, with treasure AM
Iifebiood. Germany nor any other Eu
ropean power shall move us from tn
tina honored position. President Mon
roe proclaimed it in 1923. Succeed
ing presidents have reiterated it. Pres
ident Roosevelt, in his Boston speec
last year. again served notice upo
Europe that the doctrine of 1928 is sti
the doctrine of the current centur!
and President Roosevelt is sustaine
by every citizen of the country, re
gardless of political affiliations.
If in the enforcement of the polie
maintaining this doctrine it be necei
sary to have the means ofswarfare, the
those means will be Forthcoming.
Indeed, it is cause for regret tn;
the senate and house conference con
mittse on naval appropriations did NJ
provide for several times as many ne
battleships as were NAMED in the b
as it passed the congress. Three frs
class battleships are TO be built. Thi
teen new battleshlps would be near,
to meeting The exigencies Of the 81
uation. If we are to maintain ou
selves against the hostility Of Eur
pean powers, we must have theabili
to suggest by naval demonstration
that we could compel observance. II
insufficient provision that is BEN
made BY the government for the ne
navy is rather perilous to our POI
tion. We might be placed in the et
harassing attitude Of backing doy
for the moment in the face Of s