Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-31
MONROE DOCTRINE REMINDER


Montaiene noted that Words re-
peated again and again have as an
other sound. so another sense" What
Secretary Hughes had to say on the
Monroe Doctrine before the American
Bar Association yesterday, had neith-
er another sound nor another sense.
The mere saying of them might have
seemed trite were there not signfi-
canoe in the conditions under which
he repeated the often declared atti-
tude Of this country with respect to
the Monroe Doctrine.
Included in these conditions are our
relations with Mexico, with Cuba,
with Santo Domingo and Haiti. with
South America, also the uneasiness
manifested in some of these quarters
respecting oar purposes. uncasiness
born largely, it would seem, either of
jealousy or an Overwhelming sense
Of the compliments Importance. Re-
marks have been made in public
within the past few months indicating
misconception Of our attitude or a
disposition to have something to say
about what we may do with the
Monroe Doctrine.
Such being the situation, the men,
orics Of the public being short and at
tcntion being distracted in so many
ways, it was fitting that Secretary
Hughes Should do with the Monroe
Doctrine as he did a short time ago
in the matter of relations with the
Soviet government of Russia, make a
straight forward statement Oh the
subject. Then he but reiterated what
had previously been said and now he
is doing likewise with the Monroe
Doctrine. Nevertheless it is timely.
Many need to be reminded that it is
the policy of this country. a policy of
self defense for US to change as we
may see fit, that there is in our pur-
pose nothing inimical to any of our
a neighbors, that we are not proposing
- under it to encroach On Mexico, on
Cuba, on Santo Domingo or on any
other country. The facts surrounding
and should be considered by the ap
prehensive, if any such exist off the
public platform.
While the Monroe Doctrine might
be made applicable to Cuba we have
with her a treaty under which we
have certain rights and obligations,
= and the Cubans who now resent this
should not be permitted to blame the
Monroe Doctrine for ii.
The Secretary reminds US that this
Doctrine was established at a time
when the threat of foreign a aggression
= in this new world was real menace.
That condition has in large measure
. passed away. Right now there seems
lite likelihood of the need arising
for us to notify some foreign country,
ENGLAND France or Germany, that we
could not with safety to ourselves al
low them to establish new footholds
in this hemisphere. But there is no
assurance this condition will continue
forever. and Secretary Hughes very
pertinently alluded to the obligation
which has come to us for maintaining
the highway through Panama be-
tween the two oceans and the conse-
qucnt need of having either an old or
a new Monroe Doctrine to apply to
the Caribbean Sea and the approach
e. to the Canal.
When he disclaimcd all purpose to
nj Mt q
the affairs of our sister republics, and
declares that we are striving to get
out of Santo Domingo and Haiti leaV-
ing a stable government established
there, he but spoke the purpose Of the
American people Whatever a few VEN
turesome capitalists may wish with
respect to those countries it is Ger
tain the people at large would leave
others to govern themselves so long
as they succeed in doing so.
The country is fortunate in having
a Secretary of State capable of taking
advantage of such opportunities Tor
reminding the public concerning the
condition Of our affairs and of putting
The facts before them in such a light
they need not misunderstood.
Shrewdly he takes his particular oc-
casion for reminding his countrymen
that a permanent court of interna-
tional Justice has long been a dis
tinct feature of the policy OF TINS
country: that we are willing to CO.
= operate but not willing to put our
Z power in pledge, though conscious OF
j a certain community of interest and
= of name.
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