East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-07-17
THE MONROE DOCTRINE


Article XXI of the revised Cove
nant of the League provides as fol-
lows:
Nothing in this covenant shall
be deemed to effect the validity
OF International engagements
such as treaties of arbitration or
1 regional understandings like the
| Monroe Doctrine for securing the
1 maintenance of peace"
I 1t is asserted that this article does
not adequately reserve the Monroe
Doctrine because it is not regional
understanding" and it's purpose it not
the maintenance of peace" it is
also objected that although the Mon
roe Doctrine is a national policy any
dispute concerning its reservation in
Article XXI shall be submitted to
the League for arbitration or ex-
animation under Articles XIII or XIV.
The reason for these objections dis
appears upon an examination of the
general purpose of the League and
the character and effect of the Mon
roe Doctrine.
Its Origin
In 1923 number of South Ameri-
can states, having thrown off the
yoke of SaiG, had become indepen-
dent republics. 1t was believed that
the European powers constituting the
Holly Alliance were planning to over
turn the independence Of the new
states and by making them colonies
of European state to introduce in
this hemisphere the autocratic mon
archical principle. 1t was to frustrate
ich a design that President Monroe
in his annual message to Congress
said:
I'VE shall consider any at
tempt on their part-the part of
European powers to extend their
systems oany portion of this
hemisphere-as dangerous to our
peace and safety" and 1--WE could
not view any interposition for the
purpose of depressing then--the
young American Reublics-or
controlling in any other manner
their destiny by any European
power in any other light than as
manifestation of an unfriendly
DISPOSITION toward the United
States.
How 1t Developed
The principle of the Doctrine thus
has been so developed dur 4
ng the last hundred years that it now
includes the prohibition of attempts
~ foreign nations, whether by war
,r purchase, or diplomatic intrigue,
o make territorial acquisitions or es-
abIish new strategical footholds'
lpon or near the Western Hemis-
here, or to secure political advantage
n the domestic affairs of American
ations.
The Monroe Doctrine is not
of international law. 1t is !
national policy based upon the right
( every nation to protect itself
gainst acts tending to embarrass 1t G
n preserving its own nationa Inter =
sts or political institutions. 1t is 7
ounded upon the same right as the
amiliar concrete of European powers
xcept that it affects greater num-
er of nations mere widely separated
and is asserted by a
n1la powerfuf nation able, without
he sanction of treaty stipulations, to
1aintain it. 1t does not become ef-
eetiye SO much by the acquiescence
: fhe American nations subject to
s operation as from its recognition
" nations of other parts of the world
3 a political policy which cannot be
isrszarded by them except at the
.isk of war with the United States.
Jnca the Monroe Doctrine is thus
ased upon an inherent national riSht ]
is entirely consistent with the prin-
iple of mutual self-protection, un-
erIying Article X of the Covenant OF
he League which seeks to check ]
hreatened external aggression ar I
Getting ''the territorial integrity ana |
xis.ing political independence OF all .
Members of the League"
Broad Purposes of Article y q
While doubtless Article X was de- q
igned primarily TO give protectloh ]
o the seven new European repuoics !
md the four autonomous natons IN
he Near East. created under the !
treaty of Peace. and probably also ]
, France and Belgium. in its broader !
spect II was intended, in the words os J