Evening star., 1940-06-22
Hemisphere Security

oeiEeu uOtlCe on COCallCarldn agrees
sors that the Monroe Doctrine still
stands this Government, with the
cooperation of other American
republics, should lose no time in
formulating definite plan of action
designed to forestall any attempt by
Germany and Italy to take possession
OF Dutch, French or British colonies
in this hemisphere. The problem
becomes increasingly urgent as con-
quering dictators begin to count the
spoils of war and ito look for further
loot. Undoubtedly this threat to
American security will be among the
topics discussed at the Forthcoming
Pan-American Defense Conference in
Havana.
America has made it plain on more
than one occasion that it intends to
resist-with more than words If
necessary-any transfer from one
European power to another of SOW
ereignty over territory in the
Western World. Our traditional
policy under the Monroe Doctrine
has just been reaffirmed by Congress,
and Germany and Italy have been
formally reminded of this policy "in
order to avoid any possible mis-
understanding" Responsibility for
upholding this doctrine of america
Tor the Americans" is shared with
other American republics under the
declarations at Lima in 1888 and at
Panama last fall The Declaration
OF Lima pledged all the Americas to
defend the principles of continental
solidarity against all foreign inter-
vention or activity that may threaten
them" The agreement at Panama
called for consultation on common
measures whenever hemisphere Sc
curity was endangered by a change
in sovereignty of ANY geographic
region of America"
Possibility that the axis powers
may demand all or some of the
French possessions on this side OF the
Atlantic Ocean as one of the condi-
tlons OF a peace settlement has
caused official concern here. Now or
later may come moves also for acqui-
sition through infiltration or invest
ment Of Dutch and British colonies
In this hemisphere. If our declara-
tlons mean what they say, we must
be prepared, in an emergency, to
implement them with force of arms
II necessary. 1t is entirely possible
that rapid war developments may
force a decision as to American
military occupation of some of the
menaced Allied possessions-soo
than it is pleasant to contemplate.
In somewhat similar situation in
1915 we practically forced Denmark
to sell us the Danish West Indies
Virgin Islands,, informing her that
II she did not agree to the sale, cir
cumstanceS might compel us to take
possession of the islands anyway.
Robert Lansing, then Secretary OF
State, frankly told the Danish Min
lister that such circumstances would
include absorption of Denmark by a
great power" or cession of the
islands to another European power
voluntarily or under coerciou."
II there have been any similar
discussions with the Netherlands.
France or England in the present
situation, they have been kept ex-
tremely secret. There appears to be
no disposition on the part of the
Government now to take any mill
tary action unless total collapse of
the Allied forces makes it necessary.
We cannot afford to wait until that
necessity is upon us, however, to de-
eide exactly what course we shall
pursue. Therefore, the only wise plan
is to agree now upon specific steps to
be taken If and when the occasion
arises. It is this Governments duty
to work for such agreement at the
1nter-American conference, and to be
ready with plan of individual action
If a joint program should not be
feasible.