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

not been, and is not now, a mere
academic theorem, but vital prin-
ciple of our national existence. That
declaration of policy. dictated as 1t
was by proper self-interest, couched
in language dignifed and respectful
to others and without a tinge OF
buster or jingolsm, and carrying with
it protection and generosity to our
weaker friends, had, and has. all the
elements OF courage, straightforward
ness, and righteousness.
Today the Monroe Doctrine, as orig
/ inally announced, is a principle of
world politics 1t does not need re-
announcement or reiteration to con
firm it, and we can very well rely
upon the fact that, tacitly or explicit
ly; it is admitted and acknowledged
everywhere.
As indicated, however. this doctrine
has grown with time, and now seems
to embrace certain corollaries not
originally contemplated These, as
analysed in the current number Of
! the North American Review, are sub
stantially as follows:
THAT European powers, in order
to redress wrongs committed against
them by Independent American re-
pubiics, are liable to find it necessary
TO take possession of American ter
ritory, or to undertake control Of
the government Of such offending
/! American nations;
That the United States cannot just
! ly assume to forbid such possession
and control, as Incompatible with its
own peace and safety, without insist
| ing that the offending American ma
tons shall be just in their conduct;
and, therefore,
That the United States, in adher-
! ing to the Monroe Doctrine for its
own safety, thereby, as necessary
| incident, becomes subject to the obli-
cation of a duty, and possessed of
d corresponding right, to exercise it
self such control over the conduct
! of the Independent American nations
| as to compel them to act justly, and
thus prevent such nations from max
| ing necessary this dangerous aggres-
/ sion by any European power.
1T is, evidently, a logical necessity
to these new pronouncements that the
European possession and control re-
! ferred to in the first proposition must
be such as to constitute an infringe
ment of the Monroe Doctrine"
Our recent actions with regard
to Venezuela, Panama, and SantC
! Domingo seem to confirm the accu.
racy of this exposition of the present
Interpretation OF the Monroe Doctrine
This development of policy, which
has been slowly growing from The
time of Mr. Monroe, and which seems
10 be on the point of crystallizatior
under the present Administration
ought TO mark the extreme limit with
regard to our powers and duties il
the premises. Indeed, much less O
the Big Stick" than this would b,
seemly and normal, and swing o
the pendulum toward the origina
doctrine, as announced by Mr.. Mon
roe, would not only be wholesome
to US as nation. but absolutely safe
so long rs we have an efficient nav,
and our present resources.
: We must remember the dangers o
tyranny and oppression that Away
beset the strong, and, remembering
we must avoid them We mus
realize that the solidity of our pres
t ent position is such that no natio
d in future will lightly dare to Ell
: croach on the principles of the Mon
: roe Doctrine. We must not be TO
S insistent in our demands that on
neighbors to the South preserve II
d violate q virtue which our own unit
/; have not always kept immaculate
4 the virtue of paying bonded obligs
:, tons when and as due And we mus
e avoid the not always dignified dutie
q of constable-in-ordinary to the Euro
r pean powers, exercising a wise di.
If cretion, whenever we do act, with r,
d gard to the character Of the claim
t. enforced and TO the national or il
h diYidual status of the claimant.
g
r With Superintendent StidhaT