Evening star., 1924-08-14
IN TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT
BY PAUL y. COLLINS

been harmful to our just influence, by
arousing fear of latent possibilities OF
mischief, and affording opportunities
to those few, but busy, persons who
are constantly seeking to foster a
sentiment hostile to this country.
1t should be recognized that
the doctrine is only phase of Amer
ican policy in this hemisphere and the
other phases of that policy should be
made clear. But fully recog-
nizing the value of the doctrine, it
still remains true that ii simply
states a principle of opposition to
action by non-American powers. 1t
aims to leave the American continents
free from the described interposiuon,
but it does not attempt to define in
other respects our policies within this
he misphere."
X X ( x
It is clear from the above that 1t
is not the Monroe doctrine which
would Justify any action Whatever
ON the part of the United States in
Intervening in a domestic disturbance
in Honduras. But Secretary Hughes,
in another speech on the doctrine,
delivered before the American Bar
Association, at Minneapolis, said:
What has taken place of late years
in the region of the Caribbean has
given rise to much confusion OF
thought and misapprehepsion of pur-
pose. AS 1 have said, the Monroe
doctrine is a particular declaration
in no way eXhausts American rights
or policy; the United States has rights
and obligations which that doctrine
does not define. And in the unsettled
condition of certain countries in the
region of the Caribbean, it has been
necessary to assert those rights and
obligations, as Well as the ltm'ted
principles of the Monroe doctrine.
Particularizing as to the above, Mr..
Hughes referred to our Intervention
in Cuba. ''in the cause of humanity
and because of a condition of affairs
at our very door so injurious to our
interests as to become intolerable-
analogous" he added Ito what is
known in private law as the abate-
ment of a nuisance" Also in the
cases Of Santo Domingo and Haiti we
landed troops to prevent civil war and
to protect the lives of foreigners. A
military government was established
in 1916 and until recent months has>
continued in the interest of public
order.
In 1917, and again in December,
1922, the United States took the in
itiative in calling a conference of all
conference we participated. AS a re-
suit a treaty was signed by all, which
provided:
THAT the governments of the Gen.
trail American republics will not rec
ognize any other government which
may come into power, in any of the
republics, through a coup d'etat or
revolution against a recognized gov
eminent, so long as the freely elected
representatives of the people have
not constitutionally reorganized the
country"
This treaty and the conventions"
adds Secretary Hughes, "endeavor not
only to assure amity but build up of
the republics an improved civic struc-
ture."
According to the treaty, all Central
American countries and the United
States will refuse to recognize any
government that might now be
achieved by. Gen. Ferrera through
his revolt against Provisional Presi-
dent Tosta and the rival candidate for
election to- the presidency, Gem
Carries. The American authorities
hope that it will not be necessary to
offer armed Intervention, under these
circumstances,
The population of Honduras. num-
bering SOME 100000, is dependent al
most entirely upon the United States
as its market for bananas and coffee,
Eighty per. cent of the bananas con-
sumed in America come from Hon.
duras, where they grow wild, and in
recent years have been extensively
ana also for the development Of It's
cultivated.
Copyright. 1s74. b. Paul Y. collins.D