The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-11

Through a line OF 500 boys and girls
xhe president was escorted 10 the as
sembly amphitheatre. his way being
strewn with flowers. when he appeared
on the platform he was greeted by 10000
people with cheers and the Chautauqua
salute.
Bishop Vincent introduced President
Roosevelt 10 the great audience in n few
simple sentences. The president was
given an ovation. He spoke as follows:
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS,
In part the president said:
Today wish 10 ~eak 10 you on one
feature OF our national foreign policy and
one feature OF our national domestic
policy.
The Monroe Doctrine Is not part OF
international law. But IL Is the funda-
mental feature OF our entire foreign
policy so far as the western hemisphere
is concerned. and II has more and more
been meeting with recognition abroad.
The reason why II is meeting with this
recognition 10 because we have not al
lowed IL TO become fosslized. but have
adapted our construction OF 10 10 meet
the growing. changing needs OF this
hemisphere. Fossillzation, OF course.
means death. whether 10 an individual,
q government or a doctrine.
II is out OF the question 10 claim n
right and yet shrk the responsibility for
Iexercising that right. When we an
inounce policy as the Monroe Doctrine
I'VE thereby commit ourselves TO accepting
the consequences OF the policy, and these
consequences from time 10 time alter.
WHAT DOCTRINE REALLY IS.
Let US look for a moment at what the
Monroe doctrine really is IL forbids the
1erritorial encroachment OF non American
powers on American soil. Its purpose
IS partly 10 secure this nation against
seeing great military powers obtain new
6ootholds I'm the western hemisphere, and
partly TO secure our fellow republics south
sof us the chance TO develop along their
own lines without being oppressed or con-
iquered by non-American powers. As we
bave grown more and more powerful our
advocacy OF this doctrine has been re-
sceived with more and more respect: but
what has tended most 10 give the doc
trine standing among the nations Is our
erowing willingness 10 show that we not
unly mean what we say and are prepared
10 back It up, but that we mean 10 recog-
-nize our obligations TO foreign peoples no
1ess than 10 insist upon our own rights.
We can not permanently adhere TO the
making IL evident In the first place that
we do not intend TO treat it in any shape
or way as an excuse for ggrandizement
on our part at the expense OF the re-
publics 20 the south OF US; second. that
we do not intend 20 permit II to be used
by any OF these republics as a shield 20
protect that republic from the conse-
Quences Of its own misdeeds against for
eign nations; third. that inasmuch as by
I'D
from interfering on this side OF the water
we shall ourselves IN good faith try 20
telp those OF our sister republics. which
need such help. upward toward peace and
order.
NOT UNLESS FORCED.
Should any Of our nelghbors, no matter
how turbulent. how disregardful Of our
rights finally get into such n position
that the utmost limits of our forbearance
are reached. all the people south of us
may rest assured that no action will
ever be taken save what Is ABSOLUTELY
demanded by our self-respect: that This
action will not take the form OF terri
torial aggrandzement on our part and
that II will only be taken az all with the
most extreme reluctance and not without
having exhausted every effort 20 avert a..
As 20 the second point, n n republic
60 the south OF us commits a tort against
n foreign nation. such. for instance. as
wrongful action against the persons Of
citizens Of that nation. then the Monroe
doctrine does not force Va 90 interfere
20 prevent punishment % the tort. save
20 see that the punishment does not
directly OF indirectly assume the form
OF territorial occupation of the offending
eountry. The case is more difficult when
the trouble comes from the failure 20
meet contractual obligations
Our own government has always refused
90 enforce such contractual obligations
on behalf Of its citizens by the appeal
90 arms. 10 is much 10 be wished that
oil foreign governments would take the
same view But at present this country
would certainly not be willing 10 go 20