Relations with Mexico.
With Mexico, however, relations have not been cordial for several years. Ever since the invasion of their country by an American army in 1846 the Mexican people have been suspicious of American aggression; but the relations between the two governments remained cordial enough so long as President Diaz continued in power south of the Rio Grande, which was from shortly after the close of the American Civil War until well into the twentieth century. Diaz ruled Mexico in the fashion of a dictator; but he kept the country peaceful as well as on good terms with the outside world. Since the expulsion of Diaz the Mexicans have had several changes in the presidency and for ten years the government has been denied recognition by the United States. The successors of Diaz have professed their desire to place the government of the country on a truly democratic basis and to some extent they have succeeded in doing so; but they have not managed to maintain order and justice with a firm hand. Twice during the past decade it has been deemed necessary to send American troops into the country. The government of Mexico is republican in form, but elections have not, as a rule, been fairly conducted. The leaders who have control of the government try to manipulate the elections so as to maintain their own hold upon the country, and they usually succeed.
The situation today.
Between Mexico and the United States there are today no questions of great importance in dispute. The United States is ready to recognize the existing government of Mexico but only upon condition that certain pledges are made in writing. These include assurances that payments will be made by Mexico as compensation for the lives and property of American citizens destroyed during the troubles of the past ten years; that there shall be no confiscating of property without legal reason in the future; and that payments of interest on Mexico’s foreign obligations shall be resumed. These do not appear to be unreasonable conditions.
There are large American investments in Mexico, particularly in the oil and mining districts. Some of those who hold these investments would like to see the United States intervene by force of arms, but it is quite unlikely that there will be anything of the kind unless all other means of securing the rights of Americans in Mexico prove unavailing. The United States has a certain moral responsibility for the good behavior of Mexico, even though the Mexican government may not recognize the existence of such an obligation. |Mexico and the Monroe Doctrine.| If the Monroe Doctrine gives the United States the right to keep European countries from interfering in Mexican affairs, even when their citizens have been wronged, it may also be said to carry the duty of seeing that Mexico does not abuse this protectorship.
Panama.
In the region of the Isthmus the interests of the United States are especially important because of the Canal. The Panama Canal is not only of commercial but of military value to the United States, and no serious disturbance of the peace in this section of Central America can well be tolerated.
The Pan-American Congress.
Many years ago the United States government made the suggestion that from time to time a Pan-American Congress made up of delegates from all the republics of the New World should be held to discuss matters of common interest. The suggestion was accepted and several Congresses have been held during the past three decades. There has also been established at Washington a Bureau of American Republics whose function it is to carry out the resolutions of each Congress and to spread information concerning the common interests of all the countries.
The United States and the Far East.—In ordinary usage the term “Far East” includes the Japanese and Chinese empires, Siberia and the other Russian territories to the north of China, and the Malay Archipelago to the south. Until a quarter of a century ago the interests of the United States, whether political or commercial, were relatively small in this part of the world. |The Philippines.| But the acquisition of the Philippines and the growth of American trade with the Orient have combined to alter the situation. Another factor which has impelled the United States to pay greater attention to the Orient today is the progress of Japan. The rapid growth of this empire in military and naval strength means that the United States has a rival for the mastery of the Pacific.[Pacific.] During the nineteenth century the eyes of America were turned entirely towards Europe; in the twentieth they will have to be turned towards Asia as well.