Mr. Roosevelt, in advancing the Monroe Doctrine to this extent, has undertaken a big contract for this country.
If we are to be the Policeman for South America, Santo Domingo, Cuba, Mexico and Central America, we must, first of all, have a powerful navy.
This is clear to everybody.
What is not so clear is that a powerful standing army will inevitably follow—as sure as fate, it will follow.
For it is certain that a natural result of our hectoring, bulldozing, overlord attitude toward countries like those mentioned will make them our bitter enemies. South America already hates us, and has cause to hate us.
The manner in which we sanctioned the collection of claims against Venezuela, by the warships of Europe will not be forgotten.
This feeling will be intensified by Mr. Roosevelt’s recent utterances, and will spread through all the peoples affected by it.
If we are to compel these governments to knuckle down to every Asphalt Trust, or other speculative syndicate, which enters the country for the purpose of exploitation, the time will certainly come when our attempts to make them conform to our standard of what is decent and orderly in dealing with plundering corporations will be resisted.