Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-12-07
DOUBLE MONROE DOCTRINE
If United States Claims Rights Under
It,, Responsibilities Must Not


One of the most effective instruments
for peace is the Monroe doctrine as 1t
has been and is being gradually devel-
oped by. this nation and accepted by
other nations. No other policy could have
been as efficient in promoting peace In
the Western hemisphere and In giving to
each nation thereon the chance to de-
fused to apply the doctrine to changing
conditions 1t would now be completely
outworn,. would not meet any Of the
would probably by this time have sunk
into complete oblivion. 1t is useful at
home. and is meeting with recognition
az to we tse
changing needs of the hemisphere. When
we announce a policy. such as the Mon
roe doctrine, we thereby commit our
selves to the consequences of the policy
and those consequences from time to
| time alter. It is out of the question to
claim a right and vet shirk the re-
we, but all American republics who are
benefited by the existence of the doc
trine, must recognize the obligations
each nation Is under as regards foreign
peoples no less than its duty to insist
upon Its 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 Panama
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 thoroughly alive to
our interests In the Caribbean sea.
Must Reassurc South America
There are certain essential points
which must never be forgotten as re-
CARDS the Monroe doctrine In the first
place we must as "a nation make 1t evil
dent that we do not intend to treat 1t
In any shape or way as an excuse for
ACKNOWLEDGMENT on our part at the ex-
co Nf 10 rnyN 11Nli IA q a
must recognize the fact that in some
South American countries there has
been much suspicion lest we should in
terpret the Monroe doctrine as In some
way inimical to their interests. and we
must try to convince all the other ma
tons of this continent once and for all
anything to, fear from US There are
certain republics to the south of us
which have already reached such point
Of stability order, and prosperity that
Of this a Thsse me
! now meet not only on basis of entire
mutual If all Of the republics to the
south of US will only grow as those to
of the Doctrine will disappear, for no
stable and growing American Republic
| wishes to see some great non-American
.neighborhood. All that this country de-
sires is that the other republics on this
continent shall be happy and prosper,
prosperous unless they maintain order
| within their boundaries and behave with
just regard for their obligations to-
word outsiders. 1t must be understood
that under no circumstances will the
| United States use the Monroe Doctrine
as a cloak for territorial aggression We
desire peace with all the world. but per-
a NJ a with "a nt
| of the American continent. There are Of
course limits to the wrongs which any
self-respecttng nation can endure. 1t is
always possible that wrong, actions to.
ward this nation, or toward citizens of
this nation, in some state unable to keep
order among its own people. unable to
willing to do Justice to those outsiders
who treat 1t well, may result in our
having to take action to protect our
rights; but such action will not be taken
with c. view to territorial aggression,
and 1T will be taken at all only with ex-
IRENE reluctance and when it has be-
come evident that every other resource
has been exhausted.
Monroe Doctrine Not A Shield
Moreover, we must make it evident
| that we do not intend to permit the
Monroe Doctrine to be used by any ma
| ton on this continent as a shield to pro-
| tect it from the consequences of Its own
| misdeeds against foreign nations If a
! republic to the south spf us commits a
tort against foreign Hation, such as an
| outrage against a citizen Of that nation,
| then the Monroe Doctrine does not force
US to interfere to prevent punishment of
| the tort, save to see that the punishment
does not assume the. form Of territorial
occupation in any shape. The case is
more difficult when it refers to a con-
tractural obligation. Our own govern
ment has always refused to enforce such
| contractural obligation on behalf of its
| citizens by an appear to arms. 1t is
much to be wished that all foreign gov
ernments would take the same view.
But they do not; and in consequence we
+! are liable at any time to be brought face
| to face with disagreeable alternatives.
| On the one hand, this country would GER
| tainly decline to go to war to prevent a
i lust debt. On the other hand, It is Very
| inadyisable to permit any foreign power
| to take possession, even. temporarily, of
the custom houses of an American Re-
] public In order to enforce the payment