The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-03-06
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
James Monroe, the fifth president Of
the United States, declared in one of
his messages to Congress the Ameri-
can policy of neither entangling our
selves in the broils Of Europe, nor s-f-
fering the powers Of the Old World TO
interfere with the affairs of the New
and that amy attempt to extend their
system to any portion of this hcmis-
phere would be dangerous to our peace
and safety" This PRONUNCIATION is
known as the Monroe Doctrine aoJ
foreign nations so understand 1t.
The only European nations that
have winked at the Monroe Doctrine
are France and England In 1862.
Franco was tempted by the oppoltun
ity offered by the Civil War in the
United. States to interfere in the at
fairs of Mexico decided to make that
country a monarchy and offered the
crown to Ferdinand Maximilia I
Joseph, the Archduke of Austria. That
unfortunate man accepted the hon u.
Juarez and his followers raised the
standard of Independence, and ct the
same time. warned by the United
States, Napoleon III. withdrew his
troops and left Macmillan to his trag-
ic fate: He and his two generals were
tried by court martial and shot. and
after, some delay his dead body was;
conveyed to Europe in an Austrian
frigate.
England during the first admins
tration of President Cleveland, had
designs on Venezuela, and thought
she could "gobblc' it as she had done
with other weak and defenseless nj.
tions. Cleveland told her in language
tnat could not be misunderstood t.
keep hands off the South American
republic or get ready for war with the
United States. That was enough.
President Castro, Of that republic
reused the ire of Germany and Hol
land, but neither of them contelnplat-
ed seizure Of the country. They
knew that the United States would
not permit them.
Suppose that in war between Eng
land and another European or Asiat:c
power, Canada was invaded and sezeti.
what would the United States do? We
venture to say that Canada would y.
protected in it's rights by the United
States.
In a recent address by John S,
Ewart, K. c., before a Canadian club
at Peterboro, Ont, the following re-
ference was made to the Monroe Doc
trine:
"If any European power should seek
to violate it. Canada ought, if need be-
t. join with the United States and al
other American powers in its assertion
and maintenance" Continuing, Mr.
Ewart said: In some British wars
Canada would probably decline to
take part. IT, for example, the United
Kingdom were at war with France,
Canada ought to be neutral. In wsr
too between the United Kingdom and
Japan, on the one side, and the United
States on the other, Canada would dc
cline to aid the allies. On two oc.
casions she has suffered invasion u,
the United States because Of foolish
British quarrels, but she will decline
to risk her political existence for the
benefit Of the Japanese. Are we con-
tent to leave all decision-yes. all dis
cussion--as to peace and war with Mr.
Asquith and his colleagues and their
successors? Are we to have no vol 20
IN peace and war? Are we willing ~
pledge ourselves that whenever cablet
to we shall forward such men aud
money as may be demanded? Is II
immaterial to us who may be. tho ell
envy, or where the. contest, or wha!
the subject of quarrel? If you. ar
swcr all these questions in the affirma-
tive, then let US amend the answe:
which VIC gave Mr.. Chamberlain in
1902. Let us do as did the serfs In
olden days-on our knees do. homage
for benefits and humblaf eWeag to fol-