TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1914-10-26
The Monroe Doctrine.

about the Monroe Doctrine, and Justly
so. 1t embodies principle that, II
respected by other countries, creates
the ideal condition of preserving this
hemisphere from international wars.
The moment the doctrine falls into dis
use, this continent will be the battle
ground OF all European nations, strug-
Cling TO obtain share of the infinite
realms OF Central and South America.
Their fruitful soil and their great posi-
bilities of commercial developments
make them the most desirable colonial
possessions on the globe.
Apart from The noble motive that
inspired the enunciation OF that doc
tI.ine, il ensures our safety. When
powerful European nations build Up en-
pires all around us, our present idyllic
conditions will pass away that an army
of eighty thousend men constitute our
entire military establishment. We shall
have to turn our country into vast
military camp to protect ourselves
against the aggressions OF our strong
neighbors. But II might prove fatal
mistake to trust entirely to the moral
force. BY which we have heretofore en-
sured respect for the Monroe Doctrine.
We live in an iron age. The pressure
in the European nations to obtain
exclusive markets might tempt pne or
the other to break through the Doc
trine, and neither peace pamphlets nor
prayer Sundays would stay the hands
Of the despoiler. II we keep our navy
in good fighting trim and terminate the
scandalous state Of affairs that our
powerful battleships are only half
manned, then we need fear nobody, then
we are sure to hold our own. This duty
becomes the NOR commanding from the
fact that we must now obtain adequate
protection for the Panama Canal.
We presume that the fact that we are
not sufficiently prepared TO repel inva.
ders on our continent has caused the
anxiety which we notice in Our country
regarding the outcome OF the war.
Since all indcations point 10 a success
of the Germah arms, the idea has taken
root that victorious Germany w.ll set
the Monroe Doctrine at nought and be-
gin q career OF conquest on this conti-
ncnt. The truth Is that no nation has
in the past given ns less cause to fear
her and no powerful nation is less cap.
able to do us injury than Germany.
She owns not n foot of soil that may
serve as base Of operations on this
continent, while, on the other hand,
England is menacing MS with the most
dangerous strategical positions. which
she has made most formidable by the
arts of military engineering. Quebec Is
fortificstion Of the first rank, so are
the Bcrnndas. SO Is Van Couyer and
Jamaica. Nor has England failed TO
show her rapacious and hostile dispo
sition by taking the Mosquito coas. OF
Nicaragua, by attempting in the second
term OF Mr. Clevelands administration to
seize the larger and better part Of Ven.
ezuela, by hectoring us about the tolls
in the Panama Canal and not least OF
all by the insolent disregard OF our
neutral rights in capturing ships carry
| ing our flag. If the future can be judged
from the past, II is England that we
have to fear and not Germany.
Moreover the German policy Is de.
eidedly opposed to foreign conquests. 1t
is similar to our Monroe Doctrine and is
known as the policy Of the Open Door,
which has proved blessing 10 Ger
many. Without ship and without a
soldier, by applying the peaceable
instruments Of painstaking diligence
and intellectual perception Of the
needs Of every nation, she has invaded
all the markets OF the world even those
of England, which has created the host:
lie feeling that induced Great Britain to
associate herself with France and Rus
sia. Such being the policy Of Germany
she has every reason 10 sustain the
Monroe Doctrine that offers her what
she most desires free market on
an immense continent.
But to stop the idle talk about Ger
manys intentions to violate the Monroe
Doctrine, her ambassador in Washing
ton, Count Bernstorff, has filed with
our State Departement written official
statement that she would not infringe
the Monroe Doctrine, no matter what
the outcome Of the war may be. Ger
many made no sacrifice in recognizing
the Monroe Doctrine for she never in
tended TO infringe upon it. But the
declaration is Of the utmost Importance
to our country. II is the first aknow.
ledgment in our history, by foreign
power, that the Monroe Doctrine is not
a dead letter but an indisputable inter
national law. This is, indeed, noble
response to the unreasonable prejudices
and the hostile attitude which the Anne.
riean press displays against Germany.