Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-01-15
The Monroe Doctrine

That the Monroe Doctrine will be discussed at the
n-Americ conference, which opens in Havana. Jan.
is, is indicated by the announcement of several Latin
American countries that various features Of the prin-
cipies laid down in that famous edict OF President
Monroe should be modified. Latin-American leaders
frankly admit that the Monroe Doctrine has been Of
inestimable benefit to practically all the countries
south Of the Rio Grande, but 1t has been seized upon
By the radical groups as a basis for their attacks upon
the United States.
According to Frederick 3. Kellogg, New York at
torney connected with a number OF Latin-American
petroleum companies, a resolution will be introduced
at the Havana conference preventing any nation a
party to the conference from occupying, even tenn
porarily and even with the consent Of any other ma
tion, any part of the territory of such other nation"
This resolution will be aimed directly at the
United States. which has on numerous occasions found
powers in preventing trouble in the Latin republics.
The present situation in Nicaragua, which if allowed
to develop into civil war, would present a difficult
problem for the American countries to solve, but due
TO the fact that the United States is virtually policing
the country, the activities of the radical elements are
not proving a serious menace.
The adoption of a resolution Of this character
would emaseulate the Monroe Doctrine. 1t would pre-
vent the United States from preserving order when
some irresponsible but ambitious Latin-American lead
er desires to seize the reins Of government in his
country. 1t would effectually stop any effort made by
HIS country u prevent With Nouio y 70
certain to arouse European enmity. The Monroe
Doctrine. while it warns European nations to keep
hand off, is also construed as giving the United
States the power to prevent conditions which may call
for European reprisals, and unless this country is in
position to maintain order in Latin America 1t cannot
safeguard those countries against European agrees
sion.
Those Americans who are now eriticizing the
Coolidge administration on account of the action taken
in Nicaragua would be among the first to criticize If
the United States should not enforce the Monroe Doc
trine to the letter in the even any European nation
threatened one of the Latin-American republics. How
ever, they fail to realize that in order to prevent
European interference in Latin American affairs, or
der must be maintained in the countries south of the
Rio Grande. The elevation Of an irresponsible rad
ical. through revolution or otherwise, TO the position
Of dictator menaces the peace Of the United States as
we'll as that Of the country concerned. and the exer-
eising Of a police power which prevents such condi-
ton is a right the United States must retain until
such time as 1t is obvious that all ~Latin-Ameriean
countries are fully qualified to take care Of them
selves. Several have already reached the stage where
by they are fully qualified to "hoe their own row"
but there are still others, like Nicaragua, which would
be a constant menace to world peace were it not for
the Monroe Doctrine and the police powers the Unit
ed States employs in subduing those who are evident
~ anxious to seize the government.