New-York tribune., 1905-08-12
MONROE DOCTRINE SOUND.
Continued from first page.

Doctrine unless we succeed in making il evident
- 80 ,4e nIst place that we do not intend to treat
- ~ III any shape or way as excuse for aggran-
aIzement on our part at the expense OF the
Pupucs TO the south Of US; second that do
tot intend to permit II to be used by any of
these republics a shield to pretect that re-
PUBIC from the consequences Of it's own mis-
leeds against foreign nations; third, that mas
tiIuch as by this doctrine we prevent other ma
uohs from interfering on this side OF the water
we shai ourselves in good faith try to help those
% y. ouf SISTER republics which need such help up
""iu toward peace and order
NO AGGRANDIzEMENT INTENDED.
"a As regards the first point we must recognize
t 1tIe Iact that in some South American countries
t. mas peen much suspicion lest should
ttP 49, pref lhe Monroe Doctrine in way in
sto9 10 tneir interests. Now, let fl be under
~ 1u once Tor all that no just and orderly gov
cI-iIieht on this continent has anything to fear
IN III US Ihere are certain of the republics
9ouih OF US which have already reached such
point of sta blity order and prosperity that they
are themselves. although as vet hardl, con
sCiousIE among the guarantors of this doc
No stable and growing American republic
Nlshes 10 see some great nOn-American mil
taty power acquire territory in its neiShbor-
nood- II IS the interest of all of this con-
unent that no such event should occur. and in
duultion TO our own republic there al
ready republics in the regions south of us which
nave reached a point of prosperity and power
that enables them TO be considerable factors in
maintaining this doctrine which is much to
9lood that under no circumstances viii the
United states use the Monroe Doctrine as a
cloak for territorial aggression Should any of
HeiSllpors, no matter how turbulent how
olsI Iegafdru! OF our rights, finally get into such
position that the utmost limits of our forbear-
dice are reached. all the people south OF us
may rest assured that no action will esrer he
eSthea save what is absolutely demanded by cur
seI-respect; that this action will not take the
n IorIn or territorial aggrandizement on our part
and that il viii only be taken at all with the
most extreme reluctance and not without hay-
ing exhausted every effort TO avert it.
NO SHIELD FOR wRoNGpoERs.
As TO the second point If a republc 10 the
south of us commits a tort against a foreign
nation, such, for instance. wrongful action
against the persons of citizens of that ma
tiOn then the Monroe Doctrine' deas NOT forcA
US TO Interfere TO prevent punishment 41f the
tort save TO see that the punishment does not
directly or indirectly assume the form of terri
torlal occupation of the offending country
The case is more difficult when the trouble
comes from the failure to meet eentFaetual ebii-
EdIIohs- our own government has always refused
10 enforce such contractual obligations be-
haIf OF its citizens by the appeal TO arms II is
much 10 he wished that all foreign govern n1ents
would take the same view. But at present this
country would certainly not be willing to go TO
war to prevent foreign government from col
Letting just debt 20 back up some one Of
our sister republics in a refusal to pay just
debts. and the alternative may in am case
prove 10 be that we shall ourselves undertake
TO bring about some arrangement by which SO
much as is possible of the just obligations shall
be paid Personally, 1 should always prefer TO
see this country step in and put through such
an arrangement rather than let any foreign
country undertake II.
1 do not want 10 see any foreign power take
possession permanently or temporarily of the
custom houses of an American republic in order
10 enforce its obligations and the alternative
may at any time be that shall be forced TO
do so ourselves
HELP FOR WEAKER NATIoNs
Finally, and what is in my view. really the
most important thing of ALL II is our duty so
far are able to try to help upvra I'd our
weaker brothers Just as there has tean a
gradual growth of the ethical element in the
relations Of one individual to another. that
with all the faults OF Christian civilization
1t yet remains true that we are no matter how
slowly, more and more coming to recognize the
duty OF bearing one another's burdens similarly
believe that the ethical element is by degrees
entering into the dealings Of one nation with
another
Under strain of emotion caused by sudden
disaster this feeling is very evident A famine
or plague in one country brings much sym
pathy and some assistance from other countries.
Moreover, are now beginning 10 recognize
that weaker peoples have claim upon US, even
when the appeal is made, not to our emotions
by some sudden calamity, but to our consciences
by a long continuing condition Of affairs.
/ do not mean to say that nations have more
than begun to approach the proper relationship
one to another, and I fully recognize the folly
Of proceeding upon the assumption that this
ideal condition now be realized in full
for in order to proceed upon such an assump-
ton, would first require some method of
forcing recalcitrant nations to do their duty as
well Of seeing that they protected In their
rights.
In the interest of Justice il is as necessary TO
exercise the police power TO show charity and
helpful generosity. But something can even now
be done toward the end In view. That some
thing. for instance this nation has already done
as regards Cuba, and IS now trying to do as
regards Santo Domingo There are few things
in history in which should take more
genuine pride than the way in which we llber>
ated Cuba, and then, instead OF instantly aban-
donng It 10 chaos, stayed in direction OF the |
auairs of the island until We had put II on the |
right path. and finally gave IL freedom and |
pendent republic.