Evening star., 1940-07-07
Roosevelt Urges Europe, Asia
To Adopt Monroe Doctrines;
Denies u. S. Aim to Interfere
Insists Disposition
Of Possessions Is
Up to Americas
BY JOHN c. HENRY.
Star staff Correspondept.

HYDE PARK, N. Y, July g.
President Roosevelt today pro-
posed that the nations of Europe
and Asia live within the frame
work of Monroe Doctrines" of
their own-and avowed an alb
sence of any American intent to
interfere in the territorial prob
lens of other parts of the world.
Carried to seemingly logical
conclusion, this might mean that
the American Government contem-
plates no steps to combat Japanese
influence in the Far East.
Renouncing any territorial ambi-
tions for the United States, the
President asserted that all the
American republics-and they
alone-should Jointly deterpine the
disposition of Western Hemisphere
possessions of conquered nations.
In effect, the declaration vests in
the other American republics pro-
prietary interest in the Monroe
Doctrine, encouraging their active
cooperation in the tactical ma
neuvering calculated, to exclude
victorious Germany from any foot
hold in this half of the world.
Mr.. Roosevelt's declaration of
hemisphere foreign policy was re-
layed to the press by Stephen T.
Early, secretary. after several tele-
phone conversations with Secretary
of State Hull in Washington. In
one such conversation last night
lasting NOR than half an hour,
the Chief Executive received COM
plete fill-in on the German reply
to our Monroe Doctrine pronounce
ment of June 18.
Early's Declaration.
Bringing to the press today the
Presidents attitude, Mr.. Early re-
ported as follows:
There is an absence of any in
tention whatever on the part of this
Government to interfere in any
territorial problems in Europe or
Asia. This Government would like
to see and thinks there should be
applied a Monroe Doctrine for
each of those continents.
1.-The United States is not out
to gain any new territorial possess
sions. 1t does not contemplate any
territorial expansion.
But. for example, should vic
torious Germany lay claim to ter
ritories of conquered nations in this
hemisphere we hold that the issue
comes within the province of the
Monroe Doctrine.
''It works in this way-the United
States does not take over the islands
or territorial possessions of the con-
quered nations, but it believes and
holds the position that their dis
position and administration should
be decided among and by all of the
American republics"
In connection with this thought,
1t is recalled that the Cuban gov
ernment recently proposed that the
American republics take joint &C
ton to hold lin trust" the Western
Hemisphere possessions of conquered
nations. Mr.. Roosevelt's pronounce
ment of today might easily be con-
strued as an implied Endorsement
of this proposal and it is considered
probable that the suggestion will
receive major attention at the Inter-
American Conference, scheduled to
open in Havana on July 20.
Pertaining to the idea of Mon
roe Doctrines" for other continents,
Mr.. Early offered what may have
been a deliberately significant ex-
ample of how such a plan would
work.
For instance" he said, Gin the
case of French Indo-China we think
the disposition should be decided
among the Asiatic countries"
Distinction Made by Hull.
A careful distinction is made, how
ever, in Mr.. Hull's declaration of
Friday that the Monroe Doctrine is
solely policy of self-defense and
of respect for existing sovereignties
differing from certain policies al
legedly similar but actually "only
the pretext for the carrying out of
conquest by the sword, of military
occupation, and of complete eco
nomic and political domination by
certain powers of other free and
independent peoples"
That this is an important dis
tinction was made clear by Mr..
Early today in an added remark
that "the Washington and Berlin
governments are not in agreement"
on the precise Interpretation of the
Monroe Doctrine.
Planning to be back in Washing
ton Monday morning, Mr.. Roosevelt
now expects to delay his message or
letter to Congress on supplement
tai five-billion- dollar defense pro-
gram until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Data from the War and Navy De-
partments and the National Defense
Commission is still being awaited
before the recommendations are
drafted in detail. To clear the way
for preparation of the message, the
President is planning few appoint
ments during the first part of the
week. He will, however, see con-
gressional leaders as usual on
Monday.