The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-05
DOUBLE DUTY IN
MONROE DOCTRINE
Roosevelt Interprets Americas
Intent Toward Big Powers T,
and Little Republics.

One of the most effective instru.
ments for peace is the Monroe doctrine
as it has been and is being gradually
developed by this nation and accepted
by other nations. No other policy
could have been as efficient in promote
ing peace in the western hemisphere
and giving to each nation thereon the
chance to develop along its own lines.
If we had refused to apply the doc;
trine to changing conditions it would
now be completely outworn, would not
meet any of the needs of the present
day, and indeed would probably by
this time have sunk into complete OBJ
livion. 1t is useful at home, and is
meeting with recognition abroad be-
cause we have adapted our application
Of it to meet the growing and chang
announce policy, such as the Monroe
doctrine. we thereby commit ourselves
to the consequences of the policy, and
those consequences from time to time
alter. It is out Of the question to
| claim right and yet shirk the respon-
sibility for it's exercise. Not only we.
but all American republics who
are benefited by the existence Of
the doctrine, must recognize the obli-
foreign peoples no less than its duty to
insist upon it's own rights.
That our rights and interests are
| deeply concerned in the maintenance Of
| the doctrine is SO clear as hardly to
need argument. This is especially true
in view of the construction of the Pam
anna canal. AS a mere matter Of self
defense we must exercise close watch
over the approaches to this canal; and
this means that we must be thoroly
aliVe to our interests in the Caribbean
sea.
Points to Be Remembered.
i There are certain essential points
/ CARDS the Monroe doctrine. In the first
place we must as nation make II
evident that we do not intend to treat
it in any shape or way as an excuse tol
| aggrandizement on our part at the =eX
pense of the republics to the south
We must recognize the fact than II
some South American countries there
has been much suspicion lest we shoulC
interpret the Monroe doctrine as il
some way inimical to their interests
and we must try to convince all the
, other nations of this continent once
! and for all that no just and orderly
:. government has anything to fear from
us. There are certain republics to Thu
: south of US which have already reached
, such point of stability, order, ant
2 prosperity that they themselves, tn
as yet hardly consciously, are anon!
the guarantors of this doctrine: .2Thes
D republics we now meet not only on
: basis of entire equality, but in splrl
: of frank and respectful friendship
e which we hope is mutual. If all Of tn
Z : republics to the south of lis will onl
, | grow as those to which [ allude; hay
L already grown, all need for US to b
: the especial champions of the doctrln
y will disappear, for no. stable and grow
ing American republic wishes to sc
some great non-American military pow
= err ACQUIRE territory in its neighbol
s hood All that this COUNT desires
that the other republics on this cont
j nent shalls be happy and prosperou:
and they cannot be happy and pro
porous unless thew maintain order witt
in their boundaries and behave with
i, lust regard for their obligations t.
ward outsiders. TT must be TInde
the United States use the Monrc
doctrine as a cloak for territorial a!
. erosion. We desire peace with all Il
I world, but perhaps most of all wit
the other peoples of the American col
tinent. There are Of course limits
the wrongs which any self-respectln
nation cah endure. 1t is always pc
sible that wrong actions toward tn
nation. or toward citizens of this n
ton, in some state unable to keep o
% der among it's own people, unable
IS secure Justice from outsiders. and u
Is willing to do justice to those outside
e. who treat it well, may result In OF
le having to take action to protect o,
v rights; but such action will not
10 taken with a view to territorial a
c. gression.. and it will De taken at a
r. only with extreme reluctance and whe
W it has become evident that every 9th
g. resource has been exhausted.