The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1919-03-20
Monroe Doctrine Untouched

| combinations.
Monroe Doctrine Untouched
7. The association of nations does
not conflict with the Monroe doctrine.
So far as the original purpose Of the
Monroe doctrine goes-that of pro-
tecting weak American powers from
the aggression of European powers
the league is exactly in the same line,
and furnishes a form Of guarantee pre-
sumably more acceptable to the Latin
American powers than the protection
of the United States, which has not
always been entirely considerate. The
modern Monroe doctrine, Roosevelt's
"big stick" idea, is also taken over
by the plan, which carefully provides
Ia method of dealing with small bel
ligerent and defiant powers by proc,
esses short of war, which will prob
ably bring them to terms.
The only limitation on the foreign
policy of the United States is that
the plan would probably put an end
to the advance of the United States
into Latin America which has resulted
in protectorates over Cuba, Haiti, the
Dominican Republic, the Republic OF
Panama, Nicaragua and Honduras.
Those advances, however, are all in
the direction of establishing a pre-.
ponderance in the Caribbean; any fur.
! Their extension there would be unnec'
essary if grasping powers like Ger,
many were held back by the auto
matte check of the league.
Obligations Of United States
On the other hand, the covenant and
constitution clearly includes series
of duties, obligations and limitations
upon action which might otherwise be
taken by the United States. 1t is
these paragraphs which have aroused
the thunderers of the capitol, some
of whom would make commercial war
on England and France forthwith I'M
less those powers meet what those
statesmen have decided to be the
prime necessity of bringing the Ameri-
can troops home. Just what are those
obligations, and how far do they re-
strict the action of the United States
and the American people?
Do TIT iv, <hn oeht inc ~
Of the plan is of course expected. The
United States is in honor bound to
designate members of the body Of del
egates, the executive council and the
secretariat; to pay it's proportion of
the upkeep of these officials; to take
notice of their action. This is the
same responsibility as that which
rests upon the states of the union to
elect senator's, and it has sat very
easy upon them.
2. The United States is bound to
participate in the guarantee "as
against external aggression Of the ter
ritorial integrity and existing political
independence of all states members
of the league" That means that the
United States must refrain from up
ending other countries, and that fairly
includes an abandonment of any
project of annexation of Mexico
or Central America without their con-
sent 1t likewise means that the Unit
| ed States must, if necessary, take part
in protecting other states of the world
against invasion and aggression. If
a future Germany should again tram
pie down Belgium the duty of the
| United States to protest and, IL neces-
sary, to aid in defending Belgium
would be established beforehand-the
result of which would be in all proba.
bility that no invasion would be at
tempted.
8. The United States, ii the senate
! ratifies this agreement, will bind itself
to reduction Of ornaments ito the
lowest point consistent with national
safety" Nothing could be more in &C
cordance with the spirit and practice
of the United States It simply means
safe return to the small land and
sea forces and slender provision OF
munitions which, we learned in 1917
was terrible danger under militar
istic political conditions. The execu
tive council determines for the con
sideration and action of the several
governments" what is fair and rea
sonable" in this respect. Here comes
one of the few specific binding limita
lions, "and these limits (of armament)
when adopted, shall not be exceeded
without the permission Of the execu
| tive council" That clause is favor
able to the United States and very un
favorable to Germany. In addition
the executive council may advise
that private munition factories be not
allowed; but the only positive require
ment is that there shall be no secret