Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-31
MONROE DOCTRINE
FOR SELF DEFENSE
NOT AGGRESSION

tonight by Secretary Hughes as en-
bodying a policy vitality related TO
national safety. inimical to no just
interest in Latin American or else
where, and imposing no barrier TO
wider international cooperation In
the promotion of peace and under
standing.
Speaking before the American Bar
Association, the Secretary declared
that while the Doctrine in no way
established "protectorate" over
other American republics, American
rights and obligations not specifically
outlined by Monroe in his famous
message had sometimes made inter
vention in some Latin American
states an absolute necessity. He re-
called that the right to intervene in
Cuba Is a matter of record in the
treaty of 1904. although he added
that the United States would rather,
IL possible, continue in its present
role of friendly adviser"
taking the Doctrine as 1t has been
and as 1t Is believed to remain" said
Mr.. Hughes, Il desire to comment
upon certain points which, as / be-
leve, deserves special emphasis at
this time.
First. The Monroe doctrine is
not a policy Of aggression, 1t Is a
policy of self-defense. 1t was as
serted at time when the danger of
foreign aggression in this hemis-
phere was very real, when the new
American states had not yet estab-
lished firm basis of Independent
national life, and we were menaced
by threats Of Old World powers
directed against republican institu
tions. But the achievements of the
century have not altered the scope
of the doctrine or changed its basis.
1t still remains an assertion of the
principle of national security. AS
such, it is obviously not exclusive.
Second. AS the policy embodied
in the Monroe doctrine is distinctive
ly the policy of the United States,
the government of the United
States reserves to itself its defini-
ton. Interpretation, and application.
This government has welcomed the
recognition by other governments
of the fact and soundness of
this policy and of the appropri-
ateness of it's application from time
to time.
But the United States has not
been disposed to enter into engage
ments which would have the effect
Of submitting to any other power
or to any concert of powers the
determination either of the occasions
upon which the principles of the
Monroe doctrine shall be invoked or
of the measures that shall be taken
in giving it effect. AS President
Wilson observed: The Monroe doc
trine was proclaimed by the United
States on her own authority. 1t al
ways has been maintained and al
ways will be maintained upon her
own possibility
This implies neither suspicion nor
estrangement. 1t simply means that
the United States is asserting a
separate national right of self-de-
tense. and that in the exercise of
this right it must have an unhamper-
ed discretion.
Third. The policy of the Monroe
doctrine does not infringe upon the
independence and sovereignty of
other American states. Misconception
upon this point is the only disturb
ing influence in our relations with
Latin American states. The declara-
ton of our purpose to oppose what is
inimical to our safety does not imply
an attempt to establish a protector
ate any more than similar aSser-
ton by any one of the great south
ern republics of opposition to con-
duct on the part of any of the
others endangering its security would
aim at the establishment of a pro-
tectorate.
Il utterly disclaim, rs unwarrant-
ed, the observations which occasion
ally have been made implying a
claim on our part to superintend the
affairs of our sister republics. to as
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spread of our authority beyond our
own domain as the aim of our policy.
and to make our power the test of
right in this hemisphere. | oppose
all such misconceived and six I'M
sound assertions or intimations.
They do not express our national
purpose: they belle our sincere
friendship; they are false to the
fundamental principles of our insti-
buttons and of our foreign policy
which has sought to reflect with
rare exceptions. the ideals of liberty;
they menace us by stimulating a dis
trust which has no real foundation.
They find no sanction whatever in
the Monroe doctrine. There is room
in this hemisphere, without danger
of collision. for the complete recog-
milton of that doctrine and the indie
pendent sovereignty of the Latin
American republics.
Fourth. There are. indeed,
modern conditions and recent events
which can not fail to engage our at
tention. We have grown rich and
powerful, but we have not outgrown
the necessity in justice to our
selves and without injustice to
others, of safeguarding our future
peace and security. BY building the
Panama Canal we have not only
established a new and convenient
highway OF commerce but we have
created eXigencies and new condi-
tons of strategy and defense. 1t is
for us to protect that highway. It
may also be necessary for us at
some time to build another canal be-
tween the Atlantic and the Pacific
Oceans. and to protect that. I be-
lieve that the sentiment of the
American people is practically unan-
imous that In the interest of our
national safety we could not yield to
any foreign power the control of
the Panama Canal, or the APP
proaches to it, or, the obtaining of
any position which would interfere
with our right of protection or would
menace the freedom of our commune
cations.
so far as the region Of the Carib-
bean Sea Is concerned. it may be
said that Il we had no Monroe doc
trine we should have to create one,
And this Is not to Imply any limtta-
ton on the scope Of the doctrine. as
originally proclaimed and as still
maintained but simply to Indicate
that new occasions require new ap-
plications Of an old principle which
remains completely effective. What
has taker place of late years in the
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