The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-26
Senator Borah Introduces Res.
olution Declaring President Il
Violating Monroe Doctrine
WOULD KEEP HANDS
OFF EUROPE'S TROUBLE
While America Debates Viii
son $ Master Stroke. Europe
Shows Sign of Giving Il
Most Earnest Consideration

washington, Jan. 25.--Unofficiaf
adVices from both entente and Ten
tonic sources indicating a favorable
reception of President Wilson's peace
demands tonight lent ENCOURAGEMENT
to the President. But the domestic
night against the Presidents proposals
was brought into the open by . reso-
luton introduced in the Senate by
Senator Borah. declaring the adher-
ence of the Senate to the principle
of the Monroe Doctrine and of mo
entangling alliances abroad" The
Borah resolution will open the way
for a discussion OF the Presidents
declaration OF a new status for the
United States among the nations Of
the world Senator Borah will press
its consideration in the Senate to-
morrow 81
No official advices were received
from abroad by the State Department
touching on the peace situation. But
unofficial and press dispatches roiat-
ing to the speech of A. Bonar Law
in Great Britain and comment In IN
interview given out by Secretary OF
State for Foreign Affairs Zimmerman
in Berlin. convinced the President and
his advisers that tho broad and
fundamental statement which he
earnest and serious. IL not favorable.
consideration by the statesmen and
people of both groups Of belligerents.
Has Not Received Gerard's Note.
The State Department had not re-
eeived, Secretary Lansing said tonight.
a communication reported to have
been dispatched by Ambassador Ger
ard from Berlin. after the ambassa-
dor conferred with the imperial chan
cellor. Secretary Lansing said 10
knew of no such communication AMI
he declined to venture an opinion A.
to It's contents.
At both entente and Teutonic en-.
bassies here 1t was stated tonight that
no official advices relative to the Pres
ident's peace speech had been re-
ceived No comment was forthcom-
ing from the diplomats.
Despite the apparently vigorous
Republican opposition in tho Senate
to the far-reaching peace program
laid down by the President. the adj
ministration feels that general dis
cussion Of the program will result in
the development of a public opinion.
not only In the United States, but all
over the world. in favor Of the pro-
posals. The Senate did not discuse
peace today, but Senator Borah's res
olution will undoubtedly reopen the
subject tomorrow. The Borah resoiu-
ton places clearly before the Senate
as an issue the contention OF the OPP
ponents OF the Presidents program,
that his new proposals constitute =
total abandonment OF the principle o.
the Monroe Doctrine and the time.
honored warning of the early states
men against "entangling alitanc9o.
Its consideration will force debate On
the merits of the Presidents proposal
as "A diplomatic policy. The discus
sion will undoubtedly bring out the
full strength OF the opposllion 10 lnS-
peace program.
senator Borah's Resolution.
Senator Borah's resolution reads:
Whereas, in September, I1So.
George Washington. then President
OF the United States declared: the
great rule of conduct for US In g.
gard TO foreign nations Is, in extend
inc our commercial relations. to nave
as little political connection as pos
sible' and that Europe has cot OF
primary interests which to us has no
or very little relation: hence she
must engage in frequent con.
troversies. the causes of which are es-
sentially foreign to our concerns
Hence. therefore, it must be ,unwfse
for US To implicate ourselves by aru-
fetal ties in the ordinary vicissitudes
of politics or the ordinary combinA-
tons and collisions OF her friendship
or enmities. and, Af
Whereas. in a letter to James Nom
roe. then President of the United
States. Thomas jefferson said: .ThA
question presented by the letters you'
have sent me Is the most momentous
that has ever been offered to my cou-s
temptation since that Of independ-
ence. Our first and fundamentAs
maxim should be never to entano3o
ourselves in the Ibroils OF Europe. Oue
second, never to suffer Europe -
intermeddle with cis-Atlantic a1RA1xA
America. North and South, has . ~
of interests distinct from those o.
Europe and particularly her own.
She should. therefore, have . system
OF her own, separate and apart FROM
that of Europe. And,
Whereas, James Monroe. Presidont
Of the United States. Afterwards,
amplified this policy Incorporating r
in message to Congress. declaring In,
effect that any attempt on the part OF
foreign governments to extcnd their
system to any portion OF this homis-
phere was dangerous to our reace and
safety and setting forth In full tn
policy which was afterwards. and a01E
since has been, known as the Monr0o
Doctrine; and. NV
Whereas. the policy thus early as-l
rounced by Washington. Jefferson snas
Monroe. and ever since adhered ~
by this government regardless Of -
litical parties. has contributed sre1tly
to the peace and happiness Of TIT
people of the United states: and.
Whereas. we believe any material
departure from these principles woul4
be fraught with danger to the peo4A