On Thursday week Mr. Root, the American ex-Secre- tary of
State for War, and one of the ablest of living statesmen, made an important speech on the Monroe doctrine, which we have dealt with elsewhere. Mr. Root said that it was the only principle of the American Government which carried within it the possibility of war. He stated it shortly as a protective right over the American Continent, which could not permit the occupation of its territory by a European Power, but, at the same time, would not permit action on the part of an American State which could make such occupation necessary. The United States in effect claims the policing of the continent, but allows Europe to push its remedies against any State up to, but not beyond, the point of occupation. If that point is reached, the case must be handed over to the United States to settle. Following President Roosevelt, Mr. Root added that if the Monroe doctrine were not to be a valueless boast, there must be an effective Navy to support it.
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