The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-06-10

others. there shall be different spheres
Of interest assumed by the different
powers who have entered into tho
league. For example. the affairs or
hithcr Asia. the Balkan peninsula and
Of North Africa are Of prime concern
70 the powers Of Europe. and the United
States should be under no covenant 10
go to war about matters In which It's
people have NO concern and probably
60 Intelligent interest. On the other
hand. the Monroe Doctrine. at least for
all America between the equator and the
southern boundary Of the Unit ed
States, is vital point of American
policy. AND MUST IN NO SHAPE BE
INTERPRETED WITH. (Thc caps are
ours) We do not interfere with exist
ing condit ions. but aside from these no
European or Asiatic power is 10 have
any say-so in the future of Mexico.
Central America. and the lands whose
coasts are washed by the Caribbean
sea We will not surrender our
independence 10 a league Of nations any
more than 70 a single nation. Moreover,
| no international court must be en-
| trusted with the decision Of what is
! and what Is not Justiflablc."
In an article published on Christmas
| tence: Our own navy should be am
pie to protect our own coasts and to
maintain the Monroe Doctrine"
In an editorial dictated three days
| before he died, and published after his
death. Colonel Roosevelt said:
| LET each nation reserve for itself
! and for its own dc.% ion. and lot IT
! clearly set forth questions which are
! non=justflahle. Let nothing be done
! that will interfere with our preparing
I for our own defense by Introducing a
| syst EN- Of universal obligatory military
! training modelled OH the Swiss sys-
! tenn"
Finally. make II perfectly clear that
we do not intend to take n position OF
an int irrational Meddlesomc Matty.
| The, American people do not wish t.
| go into an overseas war unless for q
very great cause. and where the issue
Is absolutely plain. Therefore. We do
| not wish to undertake the responsible
! Uy Of sending our gallant young men
to die Ia obscure fights in the Balkans
or in Central Europe. or in a war We
| do not approve of. Moreover, the
American people do not intend to give
up the Monroe Doctrine. Let civilized
| Europe and Asia introduce some kind
! OF police system in the weak and dis
| orderly countries al their thresholds
J But let the United States treat Mexico
! as our Balkan pcniRsular and refuse
| to allow European or Asiatic powers
| to interfere on this continent in any
/ way that implies permanent or semi
4, permanent possession. Every one of
our allies will with delight grant this
request II President Wilson chooses 10
make it. and 1t will be a great mis-
fortune II 1t Is not made"
Roosevelt considered the Monroe Doc
! trine q vital American policy thar
must in no shape BE intcrfcred with.
In the work of our navy he placed the
maintenance OF the Monroe Doctrine on
| an equal plane with the protection Of
| our coasts. No matter what other pro-
| visions the league of nations contained
he emphatically declares, The Amer
| lean people do not int end TO give UT
the Monroe Doctrine" Was the grea,
| American right in his last message -
the people he loved 10 intensely?
Elihu Root. on request from the state
department for suggested amendments
to the original covenant IF the league
| of nat ions, prepared an amendment
| respecting the Monroe Doctrine that
thoroughly embodied the IDEAS tx.
pressed by Roosevelt. This amendment
, that clearly and distinctly stated that
nothing in the league shall be con.
strued to imply REIMBURSEMENT by
the United States Of America Of IT:
| traditional attitude towards purely Amer.
lean questions, or 10 require IN" sub.
mission of its policy regarding such
! questions to the decision or recon-
mcndation OF other powers WAS
thrown into the discard at the Paris
| conference, and the following took It's
place in the amended covenant:
Nothing IN this covenant shall hC
deemed 10 affect the validity Of inicrua-
tional engagements. such as treaties Of
arbitration or regional understandings
like the Monroe Doctrine. for securing
the maintenance OF peace"
| Does that sentence 'intcrfcrc" with
| the Monroe Doctrine? Does it main
, tain it, or docs II give It up"
| Immediately after that sentence was
adopted "a part Of tn" league. IN" Of
fetal British manifesto declared
Should any dispute ever arise between
American and European powers. tho
league is there "a settle IT," Thor" YOU
have IT. MIR. Root would say We Will
not submit purely American questions
| TO the "dCciSIuu' or "r"CummcuIail on''
| OF other powers. but ."rhc league IS
there to tie it" Mr.. Roosevelt has
| IN no shape be iutrrfrrcd with" hu,
! The league Is thor" 10 settle it
! Roosevelt ngaIn: I'VE Will not aurrrp-
der our Independence Ia IcaLUc of
nations any NOR" than 10 Il single ma