The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1917-07-26

In the years when this Republic
was stlll struggling for existanoc. ia
the race OF threatened encrochments
by hostility monarchies over the sea.
In order to make the New
World safe for democracy our fore
fathers established here the policy
that soon came to be known ms the
Monroe doctrine. warning the Old
World not 70 interfere in the politi-
cal life OF the New. our Government
pleged Itself in return to abstsil
from interference In the political
conflicts OF Europe: and history has
yindicated the wisdom OF this course.
We we're then too weak 70 influence
the destines OF Europe. and II was
vital 70 mankind that the frst gr m'
experiment in government OF and by
the people should not . be disturbed
by foreign attack.
Tie Monroe Doctrine
Reinforced by the experience OF
our expanding national life, this doc
trine has been ever since the domina-
ing element In the growth OF our
foreign policy. Whether or not we
could have maintained ~ In case of
concerted attack from abroad, Il has
seemed OF such Importance TO US that
we we're at all times ready 90 10
10 war In its defense. And though
since Il was FIRST enunicated our
strength has grown by leaps and
bounds. although In that time the
vast Increase of our foreign trade
and OF travel abroad. modern trans
port. modern malls. the cables and
the wireless. have brought US close
10 Europe and have made our isol-
alton more aud more imaginary.
there has been. until the outbreak OF
the present conflict. small desire on
our part 20 abrogate or even amend
the old failmiar tradition which has
for so long given us peace.
In both conferences at The Hague.
In 1899 and 1907. we reaffirmed this
policy. AS our delegates signed the
frst convention In regard TO arbira-
tion. they read into the minutes this
statement:
Nothing contained in this eonven'
tion shall be 80 constructed as 10
require tho united states OF America
10 depart from It's traditional policy
OF not intruding upon. interfering
with, or entangling itself In the Dolit-
ioal question or policy or internal
administration OF any foreign State
nor shall anything contain In the said
convention TO imply a REIMBURSEMENT
by the United States OF America Of
it's traditional attitude toward purely
American questions"
Az the Hague we pleaded ourselves
in case we ever went TO war. 20 Oh
serve broad general rules OF decency
and fair hghting. But at the same
time we cleared ourselves from any
responsibility for forc,ag other ma
tlona 10 observe similar pledges. And
in 1895. when our delegates took
part In the Alecirss Conference,
which was 10 regulate the affairs OF
the distracted Kingdom OF Morocco,
they followed the same formula
there. While acquiescing In the
new regime which guaranteed the
independence and integrity OF Nor
occo, we explicitly announced ehat
We assumed no police responsibility
for the enforcement Of the treaty.
And II any honest doubt was left as
TO our attitude Ia regard 10 the sn-
forcement OF Old World agreements.
it was dispallcy i've years later. when
our Government refused TO protect
against the overthrow OF the Aete d
Algeciras.
We decline 10 be drawn lEto
qunFrsls abroad which might endang-
or 10 any way our traditional policy
The Maritime Code
Our seeond great tradition In IN
ternatlonal relations has been psr-
sistent effort 70 secure stable and
equitable agreement. Of the natioas