The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-04-08
The Monroe Doctrine.


brain, which is now known as the
Monroe Doctrine, he would probably
say: My son, you have grown so
large that it is with difficulty recog-
nize YOU
Growth, belonging as it does to the
period OF youth, must be watched.
guarded, and directed in order that
the development may be along the
lines Of health and strength and not
toward abnormality or the mere in
crease of useless tissue.
In 1923 France, Prussia, and Russia
designed to subjugate certain South
American republics, which had re-
VOTED from Spain, and whose indie
pendence we had recognized. In view
of these conditions Mr.. Monroe said:
I'VE shall consider any attempt on
their part to extend their system TO
any portion of this hemisphere as
dangerous to our peace and safety
and added that any interposition on
the part of such European powers for
the purpose of depressing or con-
trolling the destiny OF governments
here, whose independence we had ac-
knowledged, would be viewed by us
as a manifestation of an unfriendly
disposition toward the United States.
That was a definite statement of
distinct policy, and it has been adher
ed to from that day to this. 1t means
that the United States will not tote
rate any future extension Of posses
sions by European powers in the
Western Hemisphere; it does not
mean that we will attempt to GUST
any power from its present holdings,
nor does it mean that we will assist
in the retention of such holdings.
National policies are seldom the
concrete expressions Of ethical truths
or of international Righteousness;
they are more often the children of
the popular will, fathered by insist
lent exterior pressure and mothered
by persistent interior racial and geo
graphic conditions. All nations have
had policies and they have risen and
fallen by the judgment of time upon
the wisdom CT and equity of their
national principles. Pharaoh had an
infiexible policy Of oppression, and
Egypt is memory. Rome had a
policy of conquest of the barbarians
and wealth, with commercial sloth
for Rome and the barbarians have
commented upon her rise and de-
cline. Spain's policy and her fate
have differed but little from that of
Rome. And today, Providence is
writing upon the wall, with flaming
finger dipped in blood, it's judgment
upon the policy of Russia Weighed
in the balance and found wanting
and all the world can read the writ,
ing save Nicholas the Little and hi:
pigny counselors.
Our policies, too, must be Judge,
by their inherent justice and truth
II we are to persist as a nation. i
we are to move forward as power
making for good and entitled to tn,
foremost rank III the march towar,
human freedom, we must adapt on
policies to the changing conditions O
the times and make them always reat
true to dictates of justice and right
We are strong enough and big enough
and wise enough to do the right thin
at the right time, and in the prope
way, and we have set an example t
the world in national humanity an
generosity in the liberation of Cuba
We are taking a strong and hieI
position in the matter of internationa
righteousness, and what is called tn
Monroe Doctrine is one expression
OF that position
Self-preservation, self-respect, an
frmness are as essential to nation
as 10 individuals. At the time tn
Monroe Doctrine was announced.
was necessary to our self-preserya
ton that we should restrict the ter
ritorial possessions of European pow
ers as much as possible. For tire
hundred years America had been on
vast field fer European exploitation
For less than fifty years we had bee
nation, protesting against that DO
icy, as applied to ourselves, and b
example and precept urging automon
and independence for others similarl
situated; we had repuised two unius
wars levied upon us by our mothe
country, against the enlightened ser
timent of her best people; and Y
justly feared the encroachments
designing powers, knowing we coul
not afford to allow them vantae
grounds from which to sap and mil
cur natural defenses. Nor could W
with self-respect, allow European n;
tons to prey upon our neighbour
republics whose independence we hs
formally recognized.
1t was condition and not a theol
that confronted us in 1923 and RI
firmness with which Mr.. Monroe sta