AMERICAN NEUTRALITY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 285, 30 November 1914, Page 4

AMERICAN NEUTRALITY.

The statement hy President Wilson that the United States does not consider itself under any obligation or duty to enforce neutrality on the South American republics raises some interesting problems .regarding the interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, remarks a writer in the Dominion. The Allies have drawn the attention of the United States Government to the alleged violation of the neutrality of Chile by German warships on the assumption that it was a matter for the United States to deal with, but if President Wilson declines to accept any responsibility the Allies will be compelled to take independent action. They will have to deal direct with Chile, or any other South American State whose territory* may be improperly used by our enemies. The Monroe Doctrine lias been interpreted in various ways. President Wilson seems inclined to place great restrictions on its application. The Doctrine has been summed np in the words “hands off America.” In its original form it declared that the interposition of a European Power for the purpose of oppressing or controlling in any other manner the destiny of any of the independent States of the American Continent would be regarded as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition towards the United States.- But if the United States is going to protect the South American nations from outside interference she must accept responsibility for their actions towards other Powers. She must, in other words, play the part of moral policeman for the American Continent. If European Powers cannot get redress through Washington for wrongs done they will find other ways of dealing with the wrongdoers.