The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-08
ARTICLE TwENTY-oNE.
why Not Make II Honest and De.
scribe the Monroe Doctrine?

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN -sE: Is
1. not time for come one to give Demo-
cratic Senators a little instruction on
just what the Monroe Doctrine Is?
In the entire history Of civilized legis-
lation there was never a more fallacious
or deceptive piece OF legal structure nor
one better adapted to stir up future
trouble than the noxious Article XXI.
Of the covenant of the League Of Ma
tons. Let II be remembered that there
was an element Of reciprocity In that
famous message Of President Monroe.
Briefly 1t may be expressed thus: The
United States expressed her determine
ton not to interfere in European AFFAIRS
and Europe was given polite and diplo-
matte warning not to interfere in Ameri-
can AFFAIRS nor to attempt further
colonizstion on this side of the ocean.
Now It is evident that the whole Of
the Monroe Doctrine must be in the
covenant. or part OF It. or none of 1t.
Democratic Senators declare that the
Monroe Doctrine is protected. That is
both absurd and false. II the Monroe
Doctrine is protected. why not simply
incorporate an adequate statement OF
It in the covenant That Is evaded
is both falre and absurd. When we
undertake to perform the other obliga-
lions of the leagues constitution we
contract to interfere in European affairs.
and that in itself is a breach Of the
doctrine of Monroe and the abrogation
Of one part of It.
Mr. Wilson cannot put the entire
substance of President Monroe's mes
sage in the constitution because he
wants to cast aside part Of It and yet
does not dare make an open confession
Of 1t TO the American people. He pre-
fers to continue to rule and to achieve
his purpose by part truths.
AS Article XXI. stands 1t is not only
worded that It is inconceivable that
American Legislators, after all the
troubles and disputes which have re-
suited from interpreting and misin-
terpreting our own Constitution. will let
themselves be led into such a pitfall.
AS soon as the league were in opera
ton 1t would be possible for the as
sembled Powers to decree that America
herself had made the Monroe Doctrine
void by participating In European dis
putes. In this Article XXI. Europe Is
paving tho way for insinuating herself
in American affairs. II this were not
true European statesmen would make
no objection to writing In the constitu-
ton Of the league a definite statement
Of the part OF that doctrine upon which
tno lea p,t
do object and their purpose is evident.
Upon being told that nothing was i'm
possible for God. an old Virginia negro,
so the story runs. pointed to the Blue
Ridge around the horizon and inquired
II the divine power could make that
both a mountain and a valley at the
same time in the same place.
So far the Lord in His wisdom has
not seen At to reverse the laws of
physics and confound the mind of man
by placing upon the surface of the earth
a mountain and a valley in the same
place at the same time. but that does
not daunt the mighty mind OF Mr..
Wilson.
Europe and Asia do not want a Mon
roe Doctrine. but America does; so the
divine and benign President-elect OF the
world. inviting the powers of pagan
deites, proceeds to put a negative and a
positive in the same place at the same
time the mountain and the valley in
the mind Of the idealist.
Magician that he Is. he holds up his
hands to America and exclaims: Now
you see It - Then turning the same
pious and magic hands to Europe he
echoes Now you don't see 1t :"
ALBERT A. HoGE.
NEW YORK May Z.