A Forgotten Maxim 283 



Doctrine, and to insist upon its observance in the 

 two Americas and the islands on either side of 

 them. If a foreign power, whether in Europe or 

 Asia, should determine to assert its position in those 

 lands wherein we feel that our influence should 

 be supreme, there is but one way in which we can 

 effectively interfere. Diplomacy is utterly useless 

 where there is no force behind it ; the diplomat is the 

 servant, not the master, of the soldier. The pros- 

 perity of peace, commercial and material prosperity, 

 gives no weight whatever when the clash of arms 

 comes. Even great naked strength is useless if there 

 is no immediate means through which that strength 

 can manifest itself. If we mean to protect the people 

 of the lands who look to us for protection from 

 tyranny and aggression; if we mean to uphold our 

 interests in the teeth of the formidable Old- World 

 powers, we can only do it by being ready at any 

 time, if the provocation is sufficient, to meet them 

 on the seas, where the battle for supremacy, must 

 be fought. Unless we are prepared so to meet 

 them, let us abandon all talk of devotion to the 

 Monroe Doctrine or to the honor of the American 

 name. 



This nation can not stand still if it is to retain 

 its self-respect, and to keep undimmed the honor- 

 able traditions inherited from the men who with the 

 sword founded it and by the sword preserved it. 

 We ask that the work of upbuilding the Navy, and 

 of putting the United States where it should be 

 put among maritime powers, go forward without 



