1 8 The Strenuous Life 



as a whole ; and if it refuses to do so, it merely for 

 feits its right to struggle for a place among the peo 

 ples that shape the destiny of mankind. 



In the West Indies and the Philippines alike we 

 are confronted by most difficult problems. It is 

 cowardly to shrink from solving them in the proper 

 way ; for solved they must be, if not by us, then by 

 some stronger and more manful race. If we are 

 too weak, too selfish, or too foolish to solve them, 

 some bolder and abler people must undertake the so 

 lution. Personally, I am far too firm a believer in 

 the greatness of my country and the power of my 

 countrymen to admit for one moment that we shall 

 ever be driven to the ignoble alternative. 



The problems are different for the different isl 

 ands. Porto Rico is not large enough to stand 

 alone. We must govern it wisely and well, primar 

 ily in the interest of its own people. Cuba is, in my 

 judgment, entitled ultimately to settle for itself 

 whether it shall be an independent State or an inte 

 gral portion of the mightiest of Republics. But until 

 order and stable liberty are secured, we must remain 

 in the island to ensure them, and infinite tact, judg 

 ment, moderation, and courage must be shown by 

 our military and civil representatives in keeping the 

 island pacified, in relentlessly stamping out brigand 

 age, in protecting all alike, and yet in showing proper 

 recognition to the men who have fought for Cuban 



