Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-21

Most Americans express satisfaction
that Mexico has joined the League of
Nations and that this American re-
public will have q voice in the world
organization. Comment is directed es-
pecially to the statement by the Foreign
Minister of that country that Mexico
considers it necessary to accompany her
act of acceptance with the declaration
that she has never admitted the re-
g1onal understanding mentioned in
article XXI Of the League covenant"
thus specifically entering with reserva-
tions in regard to the Monroe Doctrine.
1t is denied that the doctrine could
have any relation to Mexico except as a
policy OF the United States in upholding
American rights. Tardy justice to the
southern republic Is recognized, and it
stronger today than when President
Wilson and Lord Cecil of England ques-
toned the stability of Mexico.
"At Geneva the Latin Americans
have found platform where they can
speak out and air their grievances
before the world" says the Dayton Daily
News, observing that "the family of
nations is nearly complete now" and
that Mexico, as a Self-reSpecting
nation, wanted to sit in on discussions
Of public health, Improvement of the
working classes, intellectual co-opera-
ton, minorities, mandates, tariffs, dis
armament and scores OF other questions
discussed at Geneva" The Rochester
Times-Union sees another milestone in
the Overwhelming association of nations
Tor mutual welfare and peace" and
feels that 'the Mexican government
today is far stronger and commands
far more respect than it did IL years
ago. The people have shown remarkable
progress, at least for the last 10 years"
1T may be-" thinks the Roanoke
Times, that Mexico is merely seeking
to align herself with the other nations
OF the world in facing the pressing
economic and political problems which
abound today, and again it may be that
our southern neighbor is making stra-
tegic move to protect herself in the
event that the United States does make
any move which she regards as agrees
sive. Although the League covenant
asserts that the body will not interfere
with understandings like the Monroe
Doctrine, the clause containing this as
sertion is capable of as broad interpre-
tation as Is the doctrine itself. No one
can say today just what the Monroe
Doctrine really does set forth, since as
situations arise the administration in
power at Washington usually interprets
the doctrine in q new light to meet
the new situation. Therefore, If the
demand from Latin American countries
became insistent enough, the League of
Nations might ask America to state
formally just what the doctrine implies"
The New York Sun asserts that "the
Monroe Doctrine Is not and never has
been a regional understanding" but
that lit Is a policy of the United States
not dependent upon any understanding
beyond true comprehension of its
nature" The Sun quotes the words of
j. Reuben Clark, now Ambassador to
Mexico, to the effect that lit has moth
ing to do with the relationship between
the United States and other American
nations, except where other American
nations become involved with European
governments in arrangements which
threaten the security of the United
States, and even in such cases the
doctrine runs against the European
country, not the American nation" The
Sun concludes: with the conditions
which Mexico may attach to her men, |
bership in the League Of Nations we
have no concern. Fault cannot be |
found with her for denying that she Is |
bound by a regional understanding.
The Monroe Doctrine does not bind |
Mexico although in more than one in
stance 1t has protected her against the |
designs of European powers eager to |
extend their political systems to the |
Western Hemisphere"
''Mexico'S reservation" in the opinion |
OF the Chattanooga Times, should be |
a reminder of the Importance of di- |
vesttng the Monroe Doctrine of all but |
It's original meaning; activities inter- |
preted as an extension or amplification |