The San Francisco call., 1903-01-20
THE MONROE DOCTRINE AGAIN.

her West Indian possessions to Germany, would the
Monroe doctrine be violated? Or, if Germany ac-
quire dominion OF Denmark, as she did OF Schleswig-
Holsein though by peaceable incorporation into the
German Empire carrying with it OF course the Danish
West Indies would that be nfraction OF the Mon
roe doctrine?" What the Monroe doctrine is, and
what would constitute infracton, has come to de-
pend very much upon the period in our history since
1898 at which that doctrine is interpreted.
AS written by Monroe in his seventh annual mes
sage in 1923 it was stated in this form: I'VE owe it,
therefore to candor End to the amcable relations ex-
isting between those powers-European-to declare
that we should consider any attempt their part to
extend their system any portion OF this hemisphere
as dangerous to our peace and safety With the exist
ing colonies or dependencies of any European power
we have not interfered and shall interfere But
with the governments who have declared their nde-
pendence and maintained it, and whose inde-
pendence have great consideration and on just
principles acknowledged we could not view any inter
position for the purpose OF expressing hem or con-
trolling in any other their destiny, by any
European power in any other light than as the mani
festaton OF an unfriendly disposition toward the
United StateE
That seems plain enough 1t seems to mean that
we will repel as dangerous to us any further spread OF
European institutions in this hemisphere John
Quincy Adams was Monroe's Secretary OF State and
wrought with the President that declaration in
the message. Adams succeeded Monroe in the Presi-
dency and three years later in his special message ar
ranging for the abortive Panama Congress- advised
that that body when would agree that the Mon
roe doctrine meant that each country represented
at Panama will guard by its own means against the
establishment OF any future European colony within
its borders. This more than two years since an
nounced By my predecessor to the world principle
resulting from the emancipation of both the American
continents 1t may be so developed to the new
Southern nations that they may feel essential
appendage to their independence"
What could be milder than that? Mr.. Adams LETT
out OF his Interpretation entirely all reference dan
ger and unfriendliness us, and gave hint OF
hegemony being intended by the doctrine. Following
Mr. Adams Tyler, Polk three times, Buchanan twice,
Grant three times, Cleveland twice and Presidents
Mckinley and Roosevelt many times referred to the
Monroe doctrine.
Grars evidently took the mild Interpretation of
Adams, but has been incorrectly quoted as giving
strong ore OF his own. In his message of May 81.
1870 on the anne<ation of San Domingo, he said
The doctrine promulgated by President Monroe has
been adhered to by all political parties and l
deem necessary the equally important prn
ciple that hereafter 70 territory this continent
shall be regarded as subject to transfer European
power" As he discussing treaty transfer
San Domingo to our flag, it was held the time that
his equally important principle" meant denial OF the
right OF any American power transfer its territory
by treaty a European, which the obvious mean
ing
So far. then, we get light the question pro-
posed further than this that there exists nowhere in
any Interpretation OF the Monroe doctrine denial OF
the right OF one European government transfer to
another by treaty its existing territory in the Monroe
hemisphere Nor does there exist any Interpretation
to forbid European government the right to extend
its sovereignty the Monroe hemisphere territory
of another whose national existence has been merged
with its own. In neither would the Sovereignty
territory OF any American State be impaired, nor
would there be any extension Of European institutions
beyond the limits they occupied in 1923.
But great national doctrines subject to expan-
sive interpretations to suit expanded issues Den
mark as d neighbor IS harmless to us. But Germany
a stronger power, might be harmful To put the case
extremely: il we were at war with Germany and she
desired naval and coang facilities in the West Indies
she would, and to give them Denmark peaceably
transferred her islands the empire that would be
an act unfrendy and dangerous, equivalent to Dan
ish declaration OF against What be the
difference it, in time OF peace between all the parties
Denmark should make such transfer? Undoubtedly
It would be an act dangerous to the United States
and would violate the spirit of the Monroe doctrine
sufficiently to warrant expansion of its interpreta
ton. SO we the question that transfer of the
Danish West Indies to Germany by treaty or by
peaceful incorporation OF Denmark into the German
Empire would be violation of the Monroe doctrine
If interests required that 50 consider it.
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II there be other way to settle with the Panadu-
gan OF Bacalod, he might be invited to this
country and make lecture tour In that way we
could satisfy curiosity to his makeup, and he
could satisfy his vengeance by hurting Bacaod vitu-
peration at US, and everything would be serene
DISAPPEARING PAPER.
~ Y the inventors OF the world we are promised
X the attainment this year of many desirable
- things. Santos Dumont promises that we