Evening star., 1923-12-01
HUGHES DEFENDS
U.S.FORE|GN POLICY
Reaffirms Monroe Doctrine
and Declares Course in
Europe Justified.
BY the Associated Press.


PHILADELPHIA, December L.
Defense of the Monroe doctrine and
an Endorsement of the administra-
tion's policy of isolation marked the
address last night of Secretary of
State Hughes before a Joint meeting
Of the American Academy of Political
and Social Science and the Phtladel-
phia Forum in observance of the GEN.
tennary of the doctrine. He said he
was opposed to any policy of aggres-
sion or intervention and declared the
Monroe doctrine accorded entirely
with Americas foreign policy.
With respect TO Europe" he said.
our policy has continued to be. in
the phrase of Jefferson, peace. COM
merce and honest friendship with all
nations, entangling alliances with
none
The preponderant thought among
US undoubtedly is that our influence
would not be increased by pooling 1t.
The influence that is due to our de-
tachment and impartiality could not
long be maintained If we should sub
stitute the role of a partisan in Eu-
ropean Quarrels. and the constant eff
forts Of ropagandistS have brought
vividly before us the fact that where
the direct American interest Is not
clearly perceived foreign contro-
versies afford abundant opportunity
for the play among US of intense
racial feeling. What was true in
Monroe's day is even more true now,
in view of our vast population drawn
from many countries and reproducing
here the conflicts of European inter-
ests.
Declines Advance Commitments.
1T is not to our interest to adopt a
policy by which we would create or
intensity divisions at home without
healing divisions abroad. But
when all is said there is still no
doubt of our desire to be helpful In
every practicable way consistent with
our independence and general aims.
out stint both in charity and invest
ment. and the important productive
enterprises undertaken abroad since
the war have been supported by
American capital. The difficulties
which beset Europe have their causes
within Europe, and not in any act or
policy of ours.
Generally our policies toward Eu-
rope may thus be summarized: We
are still opposed to alliances; we re-
fuse to commit ourselves in advance
with respect to the employment of the
power of the United States in un-
known contingencies. We reserve our
Judgment to act upon occasion as our
sense of duty permits. We are op-
posed to discrimination against our
nationals. We ask fair and equal op-
portunitieS in inundated territories. a S
they were acquired by the allies
through our aid. We desire to CO.
operate according to our historic
policy in the peaceful settlement of
international disputes which embraces
the policy of judicial settlement of
such questions as are justificable."
Outlines on East Policy.
In relation to the Pacific ocean and
the far east, the Secretary said the
United States had developed the poll
icies of "the open door, the mainte-
nance of the integrity of China, CO.
operation of other powers In the dec
laration of common principles, CO.
operation of other powers by confer
ence and consultation in the interests
Of peace, limitations of naval arma-
ment and limitation of fcrtifications
and naval bases"
Taking up the relationship between
American policy toward Europe and
the Monroe doctrine, he said
I'VE entered the great war, no. vIo-
lating our tradition, for the cause of
liberty itself was at stake. We have