The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-04-16
MONROE DOCTRINE
FULLY EXPLAINED
A Well Constructed Paper Treating on a
Timely Topic, is Presented by an In
mate of the Old Prison. Conditions
That Inspired it.
AN AMERICAN POLICY
By "Vor PopoI, Vor Del

By "Vos POpoI, Voe Del
That popular feature of the for
eign policy of the United States
known as the Monroe Doctrine" is
based upon certain declarations made
against European interference in
American political affairs or occu-
patton of American territory, by,
President Monroe, in a message to
Congress on the End of Dec. 1928.
For a swift conception and bet
ter understanding of said doctrine,
it shall be expedient to have before
us, first. brief account of the affairs
which led up to, and gave it cause.
In 1915, after the downfall of
Napoleon, the great powers of Eu-
rope organized what was known as
the Holy Alliance" the object of
which was to maintain the Divine
right of Kings" and preserve the
territorial integrity of the continent.
At a congress of delegates represen-
ting this alliance, sitting at Verona
Italy, in Oct. 1922, it was proposed
that the other European nations
should assist Spain to recover do
minion over her revolted American
colonies. Great Britain had already
secured commercial supremacy in
the new American republic, and
fearing that the re-establishment of
the Spanish power would close their
markets to her merchants. entered a
vigorus protest.
Mr.. Canning received the ap-
pointment of secretary for foreign
affairs in Sept. 1922, and it was by
his influence that the English gov
ernment was led to take energ getic
measures against the absofutist's
principle of interference in prevent
ing revolution and all political
changes proceeding from the people
in opposition to the rulers
France early in 1928 was ready
to invade Spain for the purpose of
overthrowing the revolutionary gov
ernment. The next measure might
be an attempt to subjugate the Span
ish colonies. some of which we had
recognized as independent nations.
The British government is under
stood to have suggested to the United
States the policy Of making some
protest against such interference in
the affairs of the American states
or colonies.
To be more explicit:-The policy
of the United States in regard to
foreign affairs was first proclaimed
by President Washington, and was
re-asserted by President Monroe
Warned by the unfortunate course
of the first French Republic, which
entered upon a propaganda of re-
publicanism with most disastrous re-
suits, the great Republic of the West
declared that while anxious to pre-
serve peace and friendship with all
nations, 1t would make entangling
alliances with none. But it was re
served for James Monroe, fifth
President of the United States, to
formulate the doctrine which univer-
sally accepted at the time, has grown
and strengthened with years. and
which today more than ever stands
as the American policy.
The Monroe Doctrine
Monroe in message to Congress,
designed to reach farther than to it's
nominal address. ss.enunciated the poll
cy of the United States in the follow
ing words: The occasion has been
judged proper for asserting, as a
principle in which the rights and
interests of the United States are
involved, that the American CONT
nents, by the free and independent
condition which they have assumed
and maintained, are henceforth
not to be considered as sub
jects for future colonization by any
European powers. We owe it there
fore to candor and to amlcable rela-
tions existing between the United
States and those powers to declare
that we should consider any attempt
on their part to extend their system
to any portion of this hemisphere as
dangerous to our peace and safety.
With the existing colonies or de-
tendencies of any European powers
we have not interfered and shall
not interfere; but with the govern
ments that have declared their in
dependence and maintained it, and
whose independence, we have upon
great consideration and on just prin-
ciples acknowledged, we could not
view any interposition for the pur-