Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-09
Uphold the Monroe Doctrine

SplOtN TIC MOHTO6 DOCuine
TT is natural and reasonable. as it is in
evitabe, that the current popular demand
for national preparedness should be met with
the query: preparedness for WHAT" Neither
should the query go unanswered Certainly.
the nation is not to prepare for world con-
quest-that is in no mans heart. or at least
in no mans public speech--and equally OF
course. it is not designed to prepare against
the armed assault Of all the powers of the
earth. The very word implies some definite
object, and taxpayers are entitled to a frank
discussion of what that object is.
In the minds of most Americans adequate
preparedness involves capacity to uphold the
Monroe Doctrine not singly. perhaps. but in
cooperation with the great nations to the
south. Most Americans regard that doctrine
as vital to the perpetuity OF free institutions
on this continent, and would not countenance
its surrender or the sacrifice OF its integrity
1t is as clear anything of the future pos
sfbly can be that the present war will be fol-
lowed by epoch making shifts in territorial
suzerainty. One or another Of the great COM
batants will lose its colonies. and thereafter
hunger for outlets for its population
Hardly u European nation but will feel the
loss OF much of its best manhood fleeing
from the clutch of war taxes. Naturally it
will desire to retain these emigrantS under
its own fiag-to find for them new place In
the sun Who can doubt that, under such
circumstances. the eyes Of disappointed am
bition and shattered hope will be turned to.
ward South America. with its hundreds OF
thousands of square miles OF fertility and
promise? Who can doubt either that any
thing less potent than Monroe Doctrine
vigorously proclaimed and backed by ma
tons might would be capable of restraining
the threatened seizure?
And yet there is considerable body OF
public sentiment, both intelligent and nfiu.
entail. that favors the elimination OF the Mon
roe Doctrine from all consideration of the
preparedness problem. This sentiment finds
expression, for example, in the Springfield Re-
publican, an organ of opinion naturally
pacftst and moved to accept preparedness
Of any sort only by its forced but complete
understanding of the lessons of the European
war. The Republican has been converted.
just the President has been but the an
proval that, intellectually, 1t feels it must
give the Presidents policy is weakened by
many sentimental qualifications. 1t is an un-
willing convert clinging desperately to old
idols and saving all 1t can from the ruins
of its old faith.
1t is true, as the Republican suggests. that
there exists in South America feeling of
jealousy and distrust toward the United
States, and that the people and governments
of Argentina, Brazil and Chile should not be
permitted TO infer that because this country
becomes more formidably armed. 1t is to be
more dreaded by themselves" 1t is true also
perhaps that the powers have become
too strong and great any longer to require
the special guardianship of the United States.
There are two ways to meet the situation
One Is that proposed by the Republican, which
involves restatement of the Monroe Doc
trine. by which Argentina, Brazil and Chile
certainly, and the rest of South America by
possible implication. are to be left to their
fate. The other contemplates treaty Of al
lance with the G powers, which would
make them partners with the United States
in the defense of American soil against Euro
pean aggression
FOR such treaty the foundation was laid
AT the Niagara conference on conditions in
Mexico, and strengthened by the more recent
Pan-American concert that resulted in the
recognition OF CaIranza. The Monroe Doc
triEe, by that method. would be popularized
IN south America, while at the same time it
would be rendered more formidable For
this nation it is the method OF wisdom ms
tice and self-prescrvation