New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-08
Denaturing the Monroe Doctrine


relating TO foreign policy. lie ought to
be in position to know, if anybody knows,
Just what the Presidents recent peace
note meant. Mr.. Lansing undertook to
interpret the note and then suddenly re-
called the Interpretation. Mr.. Lewis S
version of its meaning may also be subject
to recall,
Yet until it is recalled the public will be
justified in putting some faith in its analy-
sis of President Wilson's message to the
European belligerents. This analysis
seems to have been more or less inspira-
tional in character. It is not based on the
text of the message. It supplements the
text, reading into it limitations which
really denature it, leaving it little more
than vague Endorsement Of the ideal Of
permanent world peace through interna-
tional concert.
Replying to Mr.. Lodge who had pointed
out that the entry Of the United States
into an international concert TO keep the
worlds peace and to protect the small
states against aggression would involve
an abandonment by the United States of
the Monroe Doctrine, Mr.. Lewis said last
Friday:
Gle Mr. LodgeI would have the
United States understand that there was
a proposition in this message that after
the war America was to join with other
nations Of the world in some kind of
league for the purpose Of using force to
enforce the claims or the rights Of
smaller nations, and he would have US
understand that there was a threat in
the message that would wholly over
come and destroy the Monroe Doctrine.
an every word of the Presidents note
the Monroe Doctrine is not only guarded
by every expression used, our Asiatic
policy preserved, but every theory Of
republican form Of government essen
tial to our perpetuity in the future is as
secure now and viii be in the future
as they have ever been in the past"
Senator Lewis interprets the note as a
somewhat harmless piece Of rhetoric, not
intended TO alter in any way the funda-
nentals Of American foreign policy. He
may think It's words have no other purpose
than 10 convey impressions wholly aca-
demic and transient in character. He may
have found encouragement for that belief
i'm a close study Of the Administration
other diplomatic activities. But he can
substantiate his theory in no other way
than by assuming that the note is simply
an exercise i'm style, and that the Presi-
dent did not mean what the note plainly
makes him say.
I'm the note the President called atten-
ton TO the fact that each group of bellig-
erents had professed a readiness "to con-
slider the formation Of league of nations
TO insure peace and justice throughout the
world" He then said:
ON the measures to be taken TO Sc
cure the future peace of the world the
ncople and the government of the United
States arc as vitality interested as the
governments now at war. Their inter
est, moreover, in the means to be
adopied TO relieve the smaller and weak.
or peoples of the world Of the peril OF
wrong and violence is as quick anc
ardent as that of any other people OF
Government. They stand ready. anc
even eager, TO cooperate in the accom-
plishmcut of these ends, when the wal
So over. with every influence and re
source at their command"
! This is TO some extent a paraphrase OF
D the Presidents address last year TO tn,
y American society which is promoting tn,
formation Of an international league fol
the Enforcement Of world peace. 10 Ger
tainlv commits the Administration to Oh,
principle Of cooperation by the United
States i'm a peace concert which is to 20
lice the world and adjust clashes between
nations by peaceful methods. If such 1
league is formed every nation will have
U submit ITS differences with other nations
10 the international concert and accept it
decisions. with the alternative of carrying
on a single handed fight against the res
or the world.
If the United States agrees TO partici
pate iu international proceedings affect
ing the status Of European nations. it mus
logically admit the right of the nations Of
Europe 10 take part in proceedings affect
inc the status Of the countries of the two
American continents. II must abandon
tlc Monroe Doctrine, which is based OF
the even older American doctrine, enunci-
AID ty Washington, Of American non
c9aceru with European affairs. We should
hr,c 90 submit to international arbitra-
ton. or TO some other form CT parliament
as or judicial settlement, all the issues
arising out Of our assertion Of the Mon
Too Doctrinciagainst Europe and Of our