The New Student's Reference Work/Drago Doctrine

Drago Doctrine. A theory advanced in 1902 by Dr. Luis Drago, Argentine minister of public affairs, as an extension of the Monroe doctrine, to the effect that the debts of a nation should not be collected by its creditor-nation by force. It was modified in 1907 to the effect that the claims should be argued through the courts of the debtor country up to the Hague Tribunal, whose decision, if unfulfilled, may permit of such forcible measures. Dr. Drago published his theory at the time when England and Germany were trying to exact their dues from Venezuela. It was not received very favorably at first, but was finally submitted to the Hague Conference for approval and adoption.