The news & observer., 1905-12-06


on a basis of high honor, respecting
their rights as jealously as it safe
| guards its own.
| Monroe Doctrine.
| One of the most effective instru-
| ments for peace is the Monroe Doc
| trine as it has been and is being grad
| ually developed 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 ma
| ton thereon the chance to develop
along its own lines. If We had re-
fused to apply the doctrine 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 oblivion.
1t is useful at home, and is meeting
with recognition abroad because we
have adapted our application of it to
meet the growing and changing needs
of the Hemisphere. When we an
nounce policy, such as the Monroe
Doctrine, we thereby commit our
selves to the consequences of the
pClcy, and those consequences from
time to tine alter. 1t is out ofthe
question to claim right and yet shirk
only we, but all American Republics
who are benefited by the eX stence of
the Doctrine, must recognize the obli-
cations each nation is under as re-
CARDS 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 50 clear as hardly
to need argument. This is especially
ttr11a Of on tIa1ln finfa Cf
Panama Canal. AS a mere matter of
self defense we must exercise close
watch over the approaches to the
canal and this means that 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 nation make
it evident that we do not intend to
treat it in any shape or way as an ex-
CuSa for ACKNOWLEDGEMENT on our part
at the expense of the republics to the
south. We must recognize the fact
that IN some South American coun-
tries there has been much suspicion
lest we should interpret the Monroe
Doctrine as in some way inlmical to
their Interests, and we must try to
convince all the other nations of this
-
end orderly government has anything
to fear from US. There are certain
repub les to the south of us which
have already reached such a point OF
stability order, and prosperity that
they themselves. though as yet hardly
consciously, are among the guarantors
NJ this DOC rine These republics we
now meet not only on q basis of en-
tire equality, but in spirit of frank
fol doh NNfh n we
tCpe Is mutual. If all Of the repub-
lies to the south of us will only grow
as those to which [ allude have al
ready grown, all need for US to be the
especial champions of the doctrine VIII
d sappear for no stable and growing
American Republic wishes to See some
great non-American military power
acquire territory in its neighborhood.
All that this country desires is that the
other republics on this continent shall
be happy and prosperous, ane they
oan not be happy and prosperous un-
less they maintain order within their
boundaries and behave with a JUS;
regard for their obligations seward
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,
bat 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
ton can endure. 1t is always possi-
bic that wrong actions toward this
nation. or toward citizens of this ma
ton. in some State unable to keep
order among its own people, unable
to secure justice from outsiders, and
unwilling TO do justice to those who
treat it well. may result in our having
to take action to protect our rights;
but such action will not be taken with
4 view to territorial aggression, and it
will be taken at all only with extreme
reluctance and when it has become
evident that every other resource has
been exhausted.
Moreover, we must make it evident
that we do not intend to permit the
Monroe Doctrine to be used by any
nation on this continent as a shield
90 protect it from the consequences
of its own misdeeds against foreign
nations If a republic to the south \
of us commits tort against foreign
nation, such as an outrage against Il
citizen of that nation, then the Mon
roe Doctrine does not force us to in
teTfere to prevent punishment of the
ort, save to see that the punishment
does not assume the form of territorial
is more difficult when it refers to a
contractual obi CATION. Our own gov
crnment has always refused to en-
force such contractual obligations on
behalf of is citizens by an appeal
to arms. 1t is much to be wished
that all foreign governments 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
I foreign government from collecting
4 just debt: on the other hand, it is
very inadvisable to permit any for
eign power to take possession, even
temporarily. Of the custom houses of
m American Republic in order to en-
force the payment OF its obligations,
ror such temporary occupation might
turn into a permanent occupation. The
only escape from these alternatives
may at any time be that we must
ourselves undertake to bring about
some arrangement by VIII ch so much
as possible Of a just obligation shall
be paid. 1t is far better that this
country should put through such an
arrangement, rather than allow any
foreion country to undertake it. To