Evening star., 1921-11-13
How Arms Conference May Call
Monroe Doctrine Into Question

Sdiu lIC Is Oh
broader and older ground than the
Monroe doctrine-on the accepted
principle that every nation has a right
to protect its own safety; and, IL It
feels that the possession of any given
harbor and place is prejudiciaI to it's
safety, it is its duty and right tn in
terfere." Mr.. Taft said this is not an
enlargement of the Monroe doctrine.
it only calls special attention of all
indirect way by which it can We vIo-
lated" In this connection it is in
teresting to recall that Prof Hart
says the Monroe doctrine is as good
against Asia as against Europe"
however, the Lodge resolution caused
stir. particularly in the orient and
! the far east,
hui"ark OF American Independence.
Thus the Monroe doctrine up to the
end Of the European war was a bull
wark OF American independence. 1t
was a part of the great doctrine of
! self-preservation. In times of inter-
national strain America has turned
lnstlnctiveiy TO 1t as the basic prin-
ciple OF our foreign policy 1t came
down from Washington's farewell ad.
dress and Jefferson's mo permanent
foreign entangling alliances" 1t,
mission has been the protection Of
| American interests" and the Keeping
alive the flame of liberty"
| While there have been differences
as to the doctrines applicability to
different situations. there can be
little doubt that America has always
regarded a palpable violation as an
unffiendly act. 1t has saved America
! from the dangers menacing the des-
| tiny of the United States. Around 1t
has been woven historic glamour,
! American idealism and pride of
! achievement.
Has the war and'it results changed
all this? Are We facing the aban-
donment of the Monroe doctrine? Are
the problems of the far east-the
open door" and special japanese
| interests" threatening the American
! doctrine? Will it irresistibly be
drawn into the arms conference? Are
We willing to act west as We require
door" a contradiction of the Monroe
| doctrine. as some claim? These are
/ important and vital questions. What
is the setting of the picture today?
Hays "Open Door. Policy.
/ In September. 1899. Secretary John
\ Hay sent instructions to the six ma
! tions having special interests in
| China, obtained by treaty and lease,
urging mutual cooperation. 1) not
| to interfere in any treaty port or
! vested interest within any sphere of
| influence or leased territory, (2)
agreeing to no tarif discrimination.
/ CD no discriminating harbor dues or
railroad charges. Its purpose was un-
! trammelled development of commerc.
and industry in the Chinese empire.
All the nations agreed to this open
door, policy. Secretary Knox's fail
ure to secure international neutrali-
zation of the Manchurian railway
| suggests that the open door" wa
often shut.
The open door" commercially dates
| back more than a century, to the day
Of clipper ships" and tales Of orienta
riches This was in 1884. In 1898 Eu
rope entered the field. then Japan, and
today the Monroe doctrine" and tn,
.'open door" stand face to face. ia
pan obtained Korea. and now with
Shantung has what she calls a ''spher,.
Of interest On the one hand, the
United States maintains that the .'open
door simply means equal opportunity
under the most favored nation" rule.
It is denied that America is the god
father Of China. but is endeavoring L.
preserve the independence and integrity
of that power and her safety from
partition after the manner Of Poland
It Is claimed to be purely altruistic ana
economic.
/ Japan's original program. apparen;
Continued on Third Page.)