Imperial Valley Press

U.S. Would Fight Canada Invasion

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (UP).—President Roosevelt has prepared his assurance that the people of the United States would not be idle if Canada were invaded and the British government cites that statement as putting the dominion today in a 'special position.'

The British government apparently regards Mr. Roosevelt's statement as a factor in defense against invasion of the dominion sector of the empire.

Developments in the first fortnight of the European war directed attention to the Monroe Doctrine and Mr. Roosevelt's speech on Aug. 18, 1938 at Kingston, Ont., in which he said:

'The dominion of Canada is part of the sisterhood of the British empire. I give you assurance that the people of the United States will not stand idly by if the domination of Canadian soil is threatened by any other empire.'

He reiterated that sentiment yesterday, explaining that it was nothing new—not extension—of the Monroe Doctrine.

Examination of previous interpretations supports Mr. Roosevelt's contention that the doctrine long has extended to all parts of the western hemisphere, North as well as South America.

Point No. 1 in an analysis of the doctrine by former Undersecretary of State J. Reuben Clark published 11 years ago emphasizes the hemisphere-wide scope of the document.

Clark's first point was:

'The American continents were not subject to colonization by any European power. This in terms certainly includes north and south America. Impliedly, colonization is considered antagonistic or detrimental to the free and independent conditions which they, the American continents, have assumed and maintained. The rights and interests of the United States were involved in this principle.'

After the British government officially interpreted Mr. Roosevelt's Kingston speech as placing Canada in a 'special position' with respect to defense, he was asked about it yesterday at his press conference.

Mr. Roosevelt said his speech was nothing new in relation to the Monroe Doctrine but was a re-statement of a policy which had grown up with that document in the past 120 years.