The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-01-07
INTERESTING NOTES
ON MONROE DOCTRINE
ITS RECEPTION BY THE Different
SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLICS
STANDS FOR THEIR RIGHTS
It is Indeed ProhlematicaI Whether the
American Republics Could Have Main
tained Their independence Had it Not
Been for the Monroe Doctrine
Chautauqua Paper By G. Il. r.

Chamtauqua Paper By C. Il. r.
Much has been said and writer
in recent times concerning this doc
trine; in regard to it's original and
it's present form. Confusion reigns
in general, and chaos in particular
Confusion, because some hold to the
theory and belief that this doctrine
has risen to the dignity of interna.
tional law, which it has assuredily
not. Chaos, because there are
those intelligent mortals who can.
not discern the necessary changes
such a doctrine must undergo to
meet varying conditions and circum,
stances. The most charitable view
of the latter is, that this foreign
policy has outgrowu its usefulness
and good Offices, and that it has be-
come obsolete; and that any further
discussion of this doctrine should
be in The nature of an autopsy. 1t
would be presumption on my part
to attempt an exhaustive exposition;
but it is merely intended to give a
brief outline of the growth of the
doctrine, to Indicate some of the
obligations and disadvantages which
must follow, and to show the atti
tude toward it, and use, of our
neighbors on this hemisphere.
So much of the Monroe Doctrine,
which has and very likely will in
the future. figure in The several in
'ternational controversies, is here
with embodied. as follows:
The American continents by the
free and independent condition
which they have assumed and main
tanned, are henceforth not to be con-
sidered as subjects for future colon
ization by European powers. 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 power,
we have not lnterfered and shall not
interfere. But with the govern
ments that have declared their in
dependence, and maintained it, and
whose independence we have, on
great consideration, and on just
principles acknowledged, we could
not view any interposition for the
purpose of expressing them, or con-
trolling. in any other manner, their
destiny, by any European power, in
any other light than as the mani
festation of an unfriendly disposi-
ton towards the United States"
So has President James Monroe
in 1923, enunciated doctrine, meet
ing with universal favor and &C.
knowledged by all to be the best
possible. History records the many
and decided effects this foreign pol
icy has had on the status of the
western hemisphere.
In the words of Mr.. Root: The
famous declaration of Monroe ar,
rayed the organized and rapidly in
creasing power of the United States
as an obstacle to European inter.
ference and made it forever plain
that the cost of European aggres-
sion would be greater than any ad-
vantage which could be won even
by successful aggression. That
great declaration was not the chance
expression of the opinion or the
feeling of the moment; it crystalized
the sentiment of human liberty and
human rights which has saved
American idealism from the demor-
alization of narrow selfishness, and
has given to American democ.
racy it's true world power in the
virile potency of a great example
1t responded to the instinct of self.
preservation In an intensely practi.
cal people"
Soon after the enunciatioD of this
Doctrine, the significance thereof
was recognized in Europe. Ar
Austrian councillor of state commen.
ted on the Doctrine as follows:
The message of the President ol
the United States is an epoch-ma
king act in the history of our times
Every line of it deserves to be con-
sidered with the most earnest atten.
ton. Not only the present attitude
of that mighty and productive fed.
Grafton towards Europe, but also
the relation of both American con.