MONROE DOCTRINE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21582, 19 September 1935, Page 2 (Supplement)

MONROE DOCTRINE

The Monroe Doctrine which is mentioned to-day by Mr R. J. G> Collins in his stamp story, is one that is difficult to explain fully. This is chiefly because it has no exact or permanent form. It has never been set out in full in exact legal language and it has frequently been expounded and altered or added to by statesmen and students of constitutional and political hisThe doctrine is briefly: that European powers should be prevented from taking a controlling share, that they should not be permitted to interfere, in the politics of the American continent; and that the « United States Government should avoid "entangling itself in the politics of Europe. This is a brief statement of a doctrine which has many complications and conditions that could not be fully explained and set out in a limited space. The policy or doctrine is named the Monroe Doctrine because it was first announced officially by President James Monroe in a message to Congress on. December 2, 1823. George Washington, who became the first President of the United States of America in 1789, had recommended the policy of non-in-terference in European affairs; and throughout the Napoleonic wars the feeling grew in the United States against interference in American affairs by European governments. In 1823 President lVionroe made his announcement to Congress chiefly because there was some danger that European powers would try to restore to the Spanish Crown the colonies in South America that had broken away and won their independence in the early years of the nineteenth century. The following sentences are extracts from Monroe's important speech: "In the wars of the European powers in matters relating* to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport' with our policy so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparations for our defence. The political system of the allied powers is essentially different . . . from that of America. We should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our .peace and safety." j The Monroe Doctrine is recognised and accepted by the League of Nations.

Seals Seals are very valuable to the people who live in Arctic countries. These animals supply the people with meat, hides and fur, and sinews (these are used for thread). Seal blubber, or fat, makes a useful oil which provides both heat and light. T.;s seal hunters begin their, work at the end of March, when the Jierds of seals are returning to the nurseries along the coast, where they remain throughout the summer. During the winter the herds of seals, with their or pups, swim away to the open sea. The seal hunters, or sealers as they are called, in the north Atlantic sea are mostly Norwegians and fishermen of Scandinavian descent; in the west Atlantic sea, round the coasts of Labrador and Greenland, the sealers are mostly Newfoundlanders.