The Washington herald., 1913-08-28
FAITH IN MONROE
DOCTRINE Shown
President Makes 1t Clear that
He Adheres to Its
Spirit.
AGAINST ANY SHIRKING
Powers May Make Insistent Demands
as to What United States Is Doing
to Protect Foreigners.
AGAINST ANY SHIRKING

Although President Wilson in his ad-
dress TO Congress yesterday made no
reference to the Monroe doctrine, there
was much in it to Justify the statement
that the President had classed himself
among those Presidents Of the United
States who have re-enunciated this doc
trine. The disclosure of the Presidents g
attitude toward the Monroe doctrine was
received with especial interest because
his indirect appeal to the powers OF
Europe for their moral support had
aroused the suspicion in some quarters
that the President regarded the doctrine
as outworn.
The President not only revealed the
fac: that he adheres strictly to the spirit
of the Monroe doctrine, but he justifies
the policy under which he sent Lind 10
Mexico solely upon it.
EnuncInted in 1923.
This doctrine was enun- lated first by
President Monroe in a message to Con-
gress December ?, 1875. Monroe said in
reference to American republics:
We could not view any interposition
for the purpose OF expressing them, or
controlling in any other manner their
destiny, by any European power in any
other light than as the manifestation Of
an unfriendly disposition toward the
United States"
In almost every line of yesterdays ad-
dress there was evidence OF the convic-
ton in President Wilson's mind that the
United States should not shirk any OF the
responsibilities placed on her shoulders
by the maintenance OF this doctrine. He
said: THE government OF the United
States does not stand in the same case
with the other governments OF the world in
respect TO what has happened or what
is likely to happen in Mexico" and
added: I'VE are expected by the powers OF
the world 10 act as Mexico's nearest
friend
At another point the President said that
the rejection OF the American proposals
left Mexico without friends who can
efectually aid her." thus giving en-
phatic statement of the opinion that no
other natiCn might undertake to aid
Mexico in solving her difficulties as the
United States had done.
strain on Doctrine.
1t is possible, however. that the Presi-
dents pronounced policy OF noninterfer-
ence in Mexican affairs may result in the
greatest strain upon the Monroe doctrine
since the days OF Monroe.
The President predicted yesterday that
his new policy would bring about sharper
contests than hitherto. with conse-
Quent increase OF danger to noncom-
batants. This means that the lives Of all
European subjects in Mexico will be sub
jected TO these increased dangers.
II is not doubted that. in the event
these predictions are justified by events.
there will come more and more insistent
demands from Ahe powers as to what
steps the United States is taking to pro-
tect lives of foreigners in Mexico. It is
altogether conceivable that should the
United States maintain her 'hands-off'
policy in the face of numerous killings
of foreigners in Mexico certain powers
may threaten to take steps for the pro-
lection OF their nations themselves with
out respect for the Monroe doctrine.