624 Presidential Addresses 



the canal. This canal will be one of the greatest 

 engineering feats of the twentieth century ; a greater 

 engineering feat than has yet been accomplished 

 during the history of mankind. The work should 

 be carried out as a continuing policy without re- 

 gard to change of Administration; and it should 

 be begun under circumstances which will make it 

 a matter of pride for all Administrations to continue 

 the policy. 



The canal will be of great benefit to America, 

 and of importance to all the world. It will be of 

 advantage to us industrially and also as improving 

 our military position. It will be of advantage to 

 the countries of tropical America. It is earnestly 

 to be hoped that all of these countries will do as 

 some of them have already done with signal suc- 

 cess, and will invite to their shores commerce and 

 improve their material conditions by recognizing 

 that stability and order are the prerequisites of suc- 

 cessful development. No independent nation in 

 America need have the slightest fear of aggression 

 from the United States. It behooves each one to 

 maintain order within its own borders and to dis- 

 charge its just obligations to foreigners. When 

 this is done they can rest assured that, be they strong 

 or weak, they have nothing to dread from outside 

 interference. More and more the increasing inter- 

 dependence and complexity of international, politi- 

 cal, and economic relations render it incumbent on 

 all civilized and orderly powers to insist on the 

 proper policing of the world. 



