Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-12-05

trine, as Il has been and Is beine
gradually developed by this nation
and accepted by other nations. No 9th
en- policy could have been as efficient
IN promoting peace IN the western
hemisphere, and in giving TO each
nation thereon the chance TO develol
along lis own lines, II We had refused
10 apply the doctrine to changing con
diiions it would now be completed,
outworn, would not meet any OF the
needs of the present day, and indeed
would probably by thiS time have
sunk into complete oblivion, II Is
useful al home, and Is meeting with
recognition abroad because We have
adapted our application of II to meet
the growing and changing needs of the
hemisphere. When We announce q
policy. such as the Monroe doctrine,
We thereby commit ourselves to the
nsequences of the policy. and those
consequences from time to time alter,
II is out Of the question to claim a
right and yet shilk the responsibility
for It's exercise, MOI only we, but all
American republics who are benefit
ed by the existence of the doctrine,
must recognize the obligations each
nation Is under as regards foreign peo.
pies 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 i 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
,elf-defense w must exercise a close
watch over the approaches TO this
canal; and this means thar We must
be thoroughly alive to our interests
in the Caribbean Sea.
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 evident that We do not intend to
treat 1t In any shape or way as al
excuse for ACKNOWLEDGMENT on II part
at the expense Of the republics to the
south. We must recognize the fact
that in some South American countries
there has been much suspicion lest we
should interpret the Monroe doctrine
as in some way inimical to their In
terests, and we must try to convince
all the other nations of this continent
once and for all that no just and or.
derry government has anything to
fear from us. These are certain re-
publics to the south of us which
have already reached such a point Of
stability, order, and prosperity that
they themselves, though as yet hard
ly consciously, are among the guaran-
tors of this doctrine. These republics
now meet not only on a basis Of en-
tire equality, but in a spirit of frank
and respectful friendship, which we
hope Is mutual. Ii all of the republics
10 the south of lis will only grow as
those to which | allude have already
grown, all need for us to be the es-
pecial champions of the doctrine will
disappear, for no stable and growing
American republic wishes to see some
great non-American military power ac-
luire territory iE. its neighborhood.
All that this country desires is that
he other republics on this continent
hall be happy and prosperous; and
hey cannot be happy and prosperous
they. maintain order within
boundaries and behave with al
iust regard for their obligations to-
ward outsiders. 1t must be understood
hat under no circumstances will the
States use the Monroe doctrine
as a cloak for territorial aggression.
We desire peace with the world, but
perhaps most of all with the other
peoples of the American continent. |
There are of course limits to the
wrongs which any self-respecting ma
ion can endure. 1t Is always possible
hat wrong actions toward this nation, |
Or toward citizens of this nation, In
states unable to keep order
among its own people, unable to Sc
cure justice from outsiders, and un.
to do justice to those out
siders who treat 1t well, may result In
our having to take action to protect
our rights; but such action will not
Dc tdhGu Will d view W tcIIltOii dl
aggression, and 1t Will be taken at all
with extreme reluctance and
when it has become. evident that
every other resource has been exhaust
I'd.
Moreover, we must make It evident |
hat We do not intend to permit the
Monroe doctrine to be used by any ma.
ion on this continent as a shield to
1t from the consequences of its
own misdeeds against foreign nations.
If a republic to the south of us com
a tort against a foreign nation,
such as an outrage against a citizen |
Of that nation, then the Monroe doc.
trine does not force us to interfere to
prevent punishment of the tort, save
% see that the punishment does not
the form of territorial Occupa.
ion in any shape. The case is more
difficult when 1t refers to a cOntrac-,
-ual obligation. Our own government |
always refused to enforce such
,ontractual obligations on behalf Of its