The Monroe Doctrine

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge has given notice of bis intention to rntrodnce a bilí in congress next session defining in some degree or manner the duty of the executive arni of the govrnment relative to the famous"Monroe Doctrine." It is to be hoped that he will persevere in his intention. Up to the present time the doctrine has never received legislative confirmation. During the last fifty years various efforts have been made looking in that direction and resolution after resolution has been introdncd into congress but each and every one has ultimately been withdrawn or adversely reported tipon by tbe committee having it in charge. It ■would no doubt be difScult to define by Jegislation the scope and limitations of the doctrine and when it shall be the dtity of the executive to apply it yet there would be advantages in having some sort of legislative pronouncement pon it. That the real Monroe doctrine involves principies in which the American people are profonndly interested and in which they most earnestly believe and adherance to which has been and will be productive of beneficial re3nlts to the people of both American oontinents, there is none to dispute. But there are certain classes of our people 8uch as the jingoists, the tail-twisters and afterdinner statesmen, who interpret it in such a broad sense as would make a veritable bully of Uncle Sara thould any effort be made to carry ou heir views. Their position seems to be that it is the duty of the United Staes to stand in front of each of the Central and South American nations ín all cases of differences with European countries, no matter which party "hath its quarrel just" and say to the governments of Europe "take me. " In other words that this country should as snme a virtual protectorate over the Spanish American governments so far as the dealings of European governments with them is concerned, while at the same time permitting them to conduct themselves as thev please ■ward Europeans and their interests. These people can always be depended npon to to make considerable noise in case of internationaal coniplications and thereby farther complicate matters. Legislative action in some degree fixing the limitations of the doctrine, -would tend to keep these persons within resononable bounds and reliev the executive department from rassment in dealing with inetmational questions by indicating the extent to which congress desired it to go. The I doctrine will become more forceful in [ proportion as its principies are clearly defined uid shown to be just.