THE MONROE DOCTRINE 379 



mitted a report upon United States relations with Spain and 

 with Cuba, in which the following significant words occur : 

 " We cannot consent upon any conditions that the depopu- 

 lated portions of Cuba shall be recolonized by Spain any more 

 than she should be allowed to found a new colony in any 

 p*art of this hemisphere or islands thereof. Either act is 

 regarded by the United States as dangerous to our peace 

 and safety." Intervention was therefore favored upon the 

 grounds of necessity as contemplated by the Monroe Doc- 

 trine, it being justified by the Cuban situation, which had 

 " become a menace to the world, and especially to the peace 

 of the United States." 



The resolution of Congress declaring war upon Spain for 

 the relief of Cuba (April 19, 1898) was not, however, based 

 upon the Monroe Doctrine. It merely recited the fact that 

 the people of Cuba were, and of right ought to be, free. 

 The United States also disclaimed any intention or disposi- 

 tion "to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over 

 said island, except for the pacification thereof, and asserts 

 its determination when that is accomplished to leave the 

 government and control of the island to its people." 



VIII. TEXAS AND OREGON 



James K^Polk entered upon the presidency in 1845, 

 pledged to his party to complete the annexation of Texas, 

 and to secure the whole of Oregon, to the Russian frontier 

 of 54 40' north latitude. The slavery question under- 

 lay both propositions, and the principles of the Monroe 

 Doctrine were appealed to by the President in both cases. 

 The South, in order to maintain strength in Congress, was 

 determined to acquire more territory open to the extension 

 of slavery, and the North found a parallel necessity equally 

 pressing to increase anti-slavery votes in Congress by the * 

 acquisition of more free-soil domain. For the South, the 

 Western progress of slavery was checked at the Sabine River, 

 which, by agreement with Spain in 1821, was recognized to 

 be the boundary line between Louisiana and Texas. Texas 



