The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1936-12-17
THE FAMOUS DOCTRINE

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THE FAMOUS DOCTRINE
"Only those who have followed the
sad record of the relations between
the United States and the govern
ments of the countries to the south
of us can really appreciate the
ejochal change that President
Roosevelt has brought to the inter-
American scene" T.
So wrote David Lawrence-one of
the Presidents severest critics so
far as domestic policy is concerned
in the United States News of No
vember 80. .-. =
About all the average citizen
knows about u. S. foreign policy as
related to the other countries in this
hemisphere is that it is governed
by something celebrated and vague
called the Monroe Doctrine. Prob
ably not one citizen in fifty could
tell you what the Monroe Doctrine
provides. And probably not one cit
izen in hundred realizes that the
Doctrine has been virtually a dead
letter for several years and,as well,
has caused vast amount of UNI
friendly feeling toward this country
in the Republics to the south.
Briefly and roughly described, the
United States would not permit any
European government to take over
territory in Latin America that the
U. S. would act as big Brother"
in protecting Latin American ter
ritorial rights as well as its own.
This seemed fair enough-b the
Doctrine had not been in effect
for long before discord arose. More
than a century ago, Brazil requested
that the Doctrine, in David Law
rence's words, 'be made interna-
tional, that it become a sort Of Of
fensive and defensive alliance in
which all Latin countries should
join with the United States in keep
ing European armies and navies out
of this part Of the world )" That
request was refused, as were SINH
lar requests made periodically in
later years.
Consequently, the Latin Republics
came to feel, rightly or wringly,
that the q. S. was taking advantage
of the Doctrine to rule their coun-
tries. This feeling was strengthen
ed by sending U. S. marines south
whenever trouble appeared in q
Latin American nation.
There are no marines in Latin
America now-and it seems doubt
full if any will be sent there again.
It is a curious fact that both Hoover
and Roosevelt took the initiative in
Withdrawing the last Of these
agents of what Latin America con-
sidered ~. s. Imperialism" No
longer does Washington take the
position that it will back up any
foreign ventures Of American citt-
zens with armed force If necessary.
Our citizens now travel in Latin
America at their own risk, and are
subject to the laws Of the countries
where they go. Diplomacy will be
used to help them in difficulties
but not force. In other words, their
status is exactly the same as II
travelling in England and other
European countries.
What is the result of all this?
In the eyes of many American OBJ
servers, the result will be q genu-
inc feeling Of friendliness for us
on the part of the Republics to the
southland there are signs that
such a feeling is now developing,
though much suspicion remains.
There is also the hope that dor
mant trade will be revived, and that
by example the Western hemisphere
will show the world now nations
can live without war, settling dif-
ferences by amicable conferences.
Furthermore, it is hoped that
treaties will be effected whereby
European powers wishing war ma
terials will find the raw material
markets of North and South AM
erica-the greatest in the world
firmly closed to them.
Mr.. Roosevelt's speech at the re-
cent Pan-American conference Is
generally considered one Of the best
he has ever made handled del