Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-08

Gentlemen OF the congress: Since |
last had the privilege Of addressing you
on the state Of the. union the war OF
nations on the other side of the sea,
which had then only begun 20 disclose
its poFteutous proportions. has extended
its threatening and sinister scope until It
has swept within its flame some portion
Of every quarter Of the globe, not except
ms cur own hemisphere. has altered the
whole fact OF international affairs. and
now presents prospect Of reorganiSa-
tlon and reconstruction such as states
men and peoples have never been called
upon to attempt before.
We have stood apart. studiously neu-
trail. IL was our manifest duty to do so.
Not only did we have no part or interest
In the policies which seem TO have
brought the conflict on: Il was necessary,
n a universal catastrophe was 10 be
avoided. that limit should be set to the
sweep Of destructive war and that some
part OF the great family OF nations should
keep the processes OF peace alive. n only
TO prevent collective economic ruin and
the breakdown throughout the world of
the industries by which its populations
are fed and sustained II was mani
fcstIy the duty OF the self-governed ma
tions of this hemisphere 70 redress. II pos
sible. the balance of economic loss and
confusion in the other. II they could do
nothing moro. In the day OF readjust-
ment and recuperation we earnestly hope
and believe that they can be OF infinite
service.
In this neutrality. In which they were
hidden not only by their separate life
and their habitual detachment from the
politics OF Europe but also by clear
perception of international duty. the
states OF America have become conscious
OF new and more vital community OF
interest and moral partnership In affairs.
more clearly conscious of the many COM
mon sympathies and interests and duties
which bid them stand together.
Genesis of Monroe Doctrine.
There was a time In the early days Of
our own great nation and Of the republics
fighting their way 90 independence IN
Central and South America when the
government OF the United States looked
upon itself az in some sort the guardian
OF the republics TO the south OF II as
against any eneroachments or efforts at
political control from the other side of
the water; felt Il its duty 20 play the
part even without invitation from them;
and ! think that we can claim that the
task was undertaken with a true and dis
interested enthusiasm for the freedom OF
the Americas and the unrnolested self
government OF It's independent peoples.
But It was always difficult to maintain
such a -olo without offanaa "a tha r,rtsn
OF the peoples whose freedom of action
we sought TO protect. and without pro-
voiing serious misconceptions Of our mo-
tives. and every thoughtful man OF az
fairs must welcome the altered circum.
stances Of the new day In whose light
we now stand. when there Is no claim
OF guardianship or thought Of wards. but
instead. full and honorable association
as of partners between ourselves and our
neighbors. in the interest OF all America
north and south. Our concern for the In
dependence ana prosperity OF the states
OF Central and South America is not al
tered. We retain unabated tho spirit thai
has inspired US throughout the whole III,
OF our government and which was sc
frankly put into words by President Mon
roe We still mean always 20 make a
common cause OF national independence
and Of political liberty In America. But
that purpose Is now better understood 81
far a. Il concerns ourselves. II L. known
not to be a selfish purpose. II Il known
to have in II no thought OF taking ad-
vantage Of any government In this hemi-
sphere or playing its political fortunes
for our own benefit All the governments
Of America stand 50 far as we are con,