Evening star., 1923-12-02
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

TxACTLY a century ago James
- Monroe sent to Congress his
message as President. embody-
ing the Monroe doctrine" that
national policy which, during 100
years. has enormously affected the
destiny of the world and been the
theme of almost endless discussion
as evidenced by innumerable official
utterances. by the publication Of some
Atty books treating of 1t specifically
and by a great mass Of essays and
addresses, representing nearly every
civilized country and almost every
language.
The Monroe centennial is being cell
ebrated, and one Of the most inter-
esting observances is at William and
Mary College, from which the youth
full Monroe went forth as a soldier
and was the first man to cross the
Delaware river in the attack on Tren-
ton. suffering a severe wound and
carrying the bullet to the day of his
death. At that celebration Repre-
sentative r. Walton Moore OF Vir-
ginia is delivering an address on
President Monroe and his message of
December 2. 1923.
Monroe began his frst term as
President on March 4. 1877. Behind
him were long years of almost con-
tinuous activity in public affairs. be-
ginning with his service in the revo-
luton.
the Monroe doctrine" was contro-
versy with Russia relative to her
claims in the northwest. regarding
which it is enough to say that she
had already been notified that the
United States would contest the right
of Russia or any other European ma
ton to establish any new colony on
this continent.
The other cause was connected with
events that had taken place follow
ing the close of the Napoleonic wars.
There had come about a general re-
crudescence of absolutism in CONT
mental Europe, while at the same time
endeavoring to free themselves from
Spanish domination. The four great
nations-Austria, Prussia, Russia and
England-bound themselves by treaty
to work together in restoring France
and managing European affairs. Three
years later France became q fifth
member Of this alliance, which was
relentIessly dominating Europe.
Finally the constitutional govern
ment Of Spain was overthrown and
the menace to the Latin American
states was obvious. The United
states government was deeply con-
cerned. Monroe was engrossed with
Back Of all that had reference to
Russia and the Latin American COM
munities most Of our statesmen had
from the beginning perceived the
Importance OF siren ngthening and in
suring the territorial integrity Of
the United States as indispensable to
insuring the we'll being and perma-
nence OF the government.
Monroe was one Of those most
solicitous to decrease the danger of
European aggression IN this hemi-
sphere by improving our territorial
situation-as member OF the Con-
tinentai Congress-concerning British
evacuation, in negotiations for the
Louisiana Purchase. as Secretary of
State opposing Spain's contention for
part Of that purchase, and as Presi-
dent when Florida was acquired.
Monroe's message of December .,
1923. was written by his own hand.
It was not delivered in person but
read In each House Of Congress 1t
was q long document. and the para
graphs embracing the statement Of
a national policy, which from that
day to this the United States has
cherished and been ready to defend,
are widely separated from each other
IN the context. Here are the essen
tial paragraphs. Referring to the
Russian claims. Monroe said:
"The occasion has been judged
proper for asserting as q principle.
in which the rights and interests of
the United States are involved, that
the American continents. by the free
and independent condition which they
have assumed and maintained, are
henceforth not to be considered as
subjects for future colonization by
any European powers"
Referring to conditions in the
south, he said:
"we owe it. therefore, to candor
and TO the amicable relations exist
ing between the United States and
those powers, to declare that we
should consider any attempt on their
part to extend their system to any
portion Of this hemisphere as dan
serous to our peace and safety.
with the existing colonies or depend
encies of any European power we
have not interfered and will not in
terfere. But with the governments
who have declared their independ-
ence and have maintained 1t. and
whose independence we have. on
great consideration and on just prin.
cipIe, acknowledged, we could not
view any interposition for the pur-
pose Of expressing them or control
ling IN any other manner their des-
anyi u Anx European power. in any