Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-12-04
Taft Indorses Monroe Doctrine.

The Monroe Doctrine was strongly in
dOrsed. its relation to the present Euro
pean war was discussed and the declara-
ton that interference by the United States
in Mexico and Central American states has
had nothing to do with that doctrine, was
made by former President William Howard
Taft in an address at Montclair, N. j., on
Friday night last.
These are some Of the salient features
of his remarks:
The landing of troops in Canada by
enemies Of Great Britain would not con-
stitute violation Of the doctrine, but an
effort to establish a new form of govern
ment in case of victory would.
There is little likelihood of the policy
being pressed in Argentina. Brazil and Chill.
These countries are able to protect them
/ selves and they are so remote from the
United States that violation of the doc
trine in respect to them would not be
harmful to this countrys interests and
safety.
The doctrine has not been applied in
Mexico because there is nothing in it which
requires the United States to bring about
peace in that country.
"Watchful waiting" Mr. Taft said, was
the term applied to the United States
status, but he went on I'VE have neither
watched nor waited. but have in fact most
hastily interviewed and thus find the pres.
ent anarchy charged as the logical conse.
quence Of our policy"
Mr.. Taft found much good to say about
the Monroe Doctrine and expressed the
hope that it might not be abandoned.
1t has made for peace for 80 years" he
said. why will it not make for peace il
the next 100 years2"
In taking up the proposition of Great
Britain's enemies landing troops in Canada
Mr.. Taft cited the stand of Secretary Sew.
ard. taken when Spain declared war or
Chill. He announced this country would not
interfere as long as one country did moi
seek to infiict its government on the con
quered people nor compel a permanent
transfer Of their territory nor resort to any
other unjustly oppressive measure.
1T seems to me clear" Mr.. Taft said
from the history which have given to the
Monroe Doctrine, and from Secretary Sew.
ards declaration in the case of the wal
between Chill and Spain. that a consistent
pursuit Of the policy would not require u.
to object to any warlike measures under
the rules Of lawful war which England.
enemies might make against Canada.
Canada is already furnishing substan.
tial aid to Great Britain and the Allies
She has sent body of 10000 men, we'll
equipped soldiers, and is preparing more
and intending to send more. On that
theory, therefore, could we justly object to
Germany's taking counter measures and
carrying the war into country which is
waging war upon herr All that the Monroe
Doctrine would consistently require of us
would be TO insist that when the war is
over, II Germany were successful, she could
not take over the territory of Canada and
overthrow her government and establish
her own there, or take any oppressive meas
ures which would have similar effect
But we could not object to her exacting an
indemnity II she were the victor"
The A. B. c. powers. he continued, I'M
derstood that this country does not claim
to exercise any suzerainty over them and
is not rendering its guardianship as II they
needed it. lie added he thought ii would
be good thing II these powers would join
in upholding the doctrine, but a move in
this direction might cause jealousy and
suspicion among smaller South American
countries. AS to such countries as Haiti
and Santo Domingo. Mr.. Taft said the work
Of the United States there In settling up
rising had been that Of a neighbor who
sought to maintain peace in the commu-
nifty.