The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-02-25
Define Monroe Doctrine. Z"

The more the Monroe doctrine is dis
cussed the less it appears to be under
stood, especially in Latin America. Our
delegates to the peace conference in
Paris, prompted by the attitude of the
United States senate. inserted a provisu
in the peace treaty tina. the league OF
nations should have no power to modify
existing regional understandings like
the Monroe doctrine" Now some OF
our Latin American neighbors, before
joining the league, want us to say just
what the Monroe doctrine is, and the
little republic of Salvador, acting as
their spokesman, has put the question
in note to the state department.
Saivador'S note may not seem an in
cident of great consequence, says the
Springfield Union (RepD, but from
its developments may hang serious ques-
ernments south of us" The Union
thinks Salvador and her sister republics
have no grievance with the doctrine
as stated by Monroe" but are more
concerned with the Lodge reservation
in which ''it is stated that the doctrine
Is to be interpreted by the United States
alone and the South American govern
ments naturally construe this as imply
ing that they are excluded from sitting
in even as listeners upon matters that
may affect them as well as the United
States"
The Portland Oregonian Ond. Rep
adds that 1--WE now construe it very diff
ferently from the way in which Mon
zoe did, and the conditions under which
he promulgated it have passed away.
Continuing, the Oregonian says:
Some of the nations which 1t was
intended to protect have no fear OF
European conquest and show misgivings
lest we should use it for the purpose
Of encroachment on their independence
Unless we define the Monroe doctrine
in such manner as to make its mean
ing clear and as to reassure our Amer
lean neighbors, our caution about en-
tering the league may lead some OF
them to hold aloof."
The Dallas News 0nd DEM also
finds that the doctrine has come to
have so many meanings that 1t Is
natural that all Latin American coun-
tries should wish to have some authori-
tative Interpretation of it" But the
News disagrees with the reasoning OIL
the Springfield Union as to the bearing
Of the Lodge reservation en- the matter
IF the United States should enter
the league subject to the Lodge reser'
walton with respect to the Monroe doc
trine," it says, "the relation of the
Latin American countries to that doc
coming members of the league. But |
the Interpretation of the doctrine should
be left to the league, then such {
statement as has been requested of thu
president would doubtless be relevant
since the presidents statement woult
probably, for long time at least, in
fluence the league in making such ap
casons might make necessary"
Back of the Salvadorean note, thinks
the New York Journal Of Commerce
CInd) SIS probably feeling of distr,st
not rare in Latin America, to the effec
that while foreign powers are for
hidden to take territory from Amer
lean countries, we are at liberty to trea
Much the same belief is expressed b,
the Greensboro Daily News Qndo
which asks If we have not lin fac
| twisted the words of President Monro
into declaration of the supremacy o
American interests in the Western hem
| isphere? Are we not claiming a fire.
| hand for ourselves, rather than offering
protection to the small states?" Blu
| these doubts are not warranted, in tn
view of the New York World (Dem
which thinks that "for all concerned
the doctrines justification is to b
| found in the fact that it never ha
! heen misused," while the Portland (Me
Express tRep.) holdS lhat lAtln Amer
| lea will make no mistake in taking tn
| intentions of this country on trust wit
regard to the further application of tn
policy" and that no final definitio
should be given, since the doctrine
an elastic policy which SHOULD no
he permitted to crystalline past a
| change"
The salvadorean request is general
| admitted to be, a poser" With s
much disagreement here in our ow
country, in the past and present as t
the precise meaning of the Monroe doc
trine. it would manifestly be difficu'
for the state department to make it
meaning clear abroad in manner sat
| isfactory to all concerned. The Buffal
Courier Dem.) is quite sure that 81
President Wilson is to draft reply
| properly inquisitive Salvador he will TAX
up the hot end Of the poker" and tina
although he is used to that sort G