The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-21
Liberal Viewpoint
by DR.. HARRY ELMER BARNES

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TN my last column pointed out that our
4 American solationists can get slight satisfac-
ton from Washingtons doctrines if they are
intenigently read and honestly interpreted FroDi
Washngtons time, onward through the formu-
lation Of the Monroe Doctrine there was no
important basic departure from the attitude ad-
hered to by Washington.
jefferson deviated from the principles Of
washington in no important way Not even his
sympathy with the French revolutionists was
able to draw him away from the established ira
dition He lost no time in expressing his views.
The famous phrase. Peace, commerce and
honest friendship with all misunderstanding
alliances with none" was set forth in his first
inaugural address. Like Washington he merely
wished to be free from involvement in European
parties intrigues and systems Of alliance. In all
his intellectual traits Jefferson was a broad
minded cosmopolitan, not an introverted isola-
zionist.
Coming to the Monroe Doctrine Of Dec. 2
1888, we find it to be no more than the logical
and complete elimination of American foreign
policy over the previous half-century.
The reactionary European powers, led by
Prince Metternich, proposed to send armed
forces to the new world to put down the revo-
lutions in Latin-America 1t was this which pro-
voked the formulation Of the Monroe Doctrine
THE Monroe Doctrine has been regarded as
pendence and aloOfneSS 1t has been corner
stone in the apologize Of the isolationistS. 1t
might be very shocking to the latter if they were
to learn that it was actually made in England
The British foreign minister, George Can
ming fearing less the restoration Of Spanish rule
in Latin America might hamper British trade
with that area, proposed to the American min
lister in London that England and the United
States join in a mutual rebuke to Metternich
and the reactionaries.
He promised the aid Of the British fleet in
the defense of the United States in the event
of war. While we did not join with England in
setting forth the Monroe Doctrine, it was the
British support which gave us courage to do So
President Monroe in consultation with John
Quincy Adams and Thomas jefferson set forth
our attitude foreign affairs. In the first
place Monroe made it very clear that we had no
intention of MIXING in the domestic problems OF
Europe:
In the wars Of the European powers, in
matters rels ing to themselves we have never
taken part, nor does it cOmport with our policy
so to do. 1t is only when our rights are in
vaded or seriously menaced that we resent in
JurieS or make preparation for our Defense
A CCORDINGLY, the United States de-
manded Of Europe similar policy of non
Intervention in the domestic policies of Amer
lean states:
with the existing colonies or dependencies
OF any European power we have not interfered
and shall not interfere But with the govern
ments who have declared their independence
and maintained it, and whose dependence we
have, on great consideration and on Just prin-
ciples acknowledged, we could not view any in
terpoSltion for the purpose of depressing them
or controlling in any other manner their destiny
by any European power in any other light than
as manifestation Of an unfriendly disposition
toward the United States"
Brought down to date, the foreign policy of
the Fathers would mean warning against an
alliance with Communism or Facism, with
France Germany or Russia, with Hitler or his
opponents
We should hold aloof from alliances so that
we may be free to decide our policy in regard to
such truly world affairs as the League of Ma
tions, the World Court, disarmament, and other
organizations and issues of like import
Further, one may remind the isolationists OF
their own inconsistency. Henry Cabot Lodge
for example, inveighed nightly in 1919 against
our entering the League of Nations Yet, two
years before, he had struck man who came tc
his office to ask him to help keep the United
States out of the European war.
To have urged our entry into the World War
and then to raise the isolation DOGGY about the
League World Court is not unlike straining al
the proverbial gnat and swallowing a camel