AMERICA AND MONROEISM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2320, 30 November 1914, Page 5

AMERICA AND MONROEISM

DOCTRINE IN THE PRESENT WAR \ ' (Rec. November 29, 3.45 p.m.)' New York, November 27. Mr. Taft (ex-President), speaking at Mont Clair, New Jersey, endorsed the principle of tbe Monroe Doctrine, and declared that interference with 'the United States in Mexican or South American affairs was"' entirely outside tho Doctrine. The landing "of troops in Canada by any enemy would not constitute a breach of the Doctrine,- but any attempt to establish, a new system of Government would-'bo resisted '• if Canada were conquered'. Argentina; Chile,. and Brazil were able to protect themselves, and therefore there was little likelihood of the Monroe Doctrine being pressed there. Tho Doctrine required rtko United States to establish peace in Mexico. Mr. Taft criticised the occupation of Vera Cruz, which, he said, had accomplished nothing. Instead, the present anarchy wae charged as being/due to tho United States entirely. Monroeism, proceeded Mr. Taft, had made peace for nineby years—why not it<ako peace for a hundred years to come? Generally speaking, tho United States would not interfere so long as o/io country did not seek to inflict its government upon the conquered people of annexed territory, or resorted to unjustly oppresisve measures. Canada, Jie pointed out, wae already furnishing'military aid to Britain. On what theory, ho asked, could the United States object to Germany taking counter-measures and : exacting an indemnity, if she so desired?' The United States, however, would not allow the annexation of Canada. Monroeism, added Mr. Taft, piWAnt,ed wars. If the United States abandoned it, tho European Powers', sooner or later, would engage in controversies with tho smaller American peoples with the result that tho United States would bo forced to Rioter into thoir troubles. Argentina, Brazil, and Chile fully understood that tho United States wa's not exercising miv authority over them; iV was not desirable to ask them to assist in the maintenanco of tho Monroe Doctrine, as that would be likely to iealousy, amonjtat,tlie sjaallegPfliMfr.'

ore. Tlie work cf the United Btfl'tes &%' Haiti and San Domingo wae merely that of a friendly neighbour trying to keep tho peace of tho community.