And State Papers 753 



the amplest justification can warrant a revolutionary 

 movement of either kind. But there is no fixed rule 

 which can be applied to all such movements. Each 

 case must be judged on its own merits. There have 

 been many revolutionary movements, many move- 

 ments for the dismemberment of countries, which 

 were evil, tried by any standard. But in my opinion 

 no disinterested and fair-minded observer acquaint- 

 ed with the circumstances can fail to feel that Pan- 

 ama had the amplest justification for separation from 

 Colombia under the conditions existing, and, more- 

 over, that its action was in the highest degree bene- 

 ficial to the interests of the entire civilized world 

 by securing the immediate opportunity for the 

 building of the interoceanic canal. It would be 

 well for those who are pessimistic as to our action 

 in peacefully recognizing the Republic of Panama, 

 while we lawfully protected the transit from inva- 

 sion and disturbance, to recall what has been done 

 in Cuba, where we intervened even by force on gen- 

 eral grounds of national interest and duty. When 

 we interfered it was freely prophesied that we in- 

 tended to keep Cuba and administer it for our own 

 interests. The result has demonstrated in singularly 

 conclusive fashion the falsity of these prophecies. 

 Cuba is now an independent republic. We governed 

 it in its own interests for a few years, till it was able 

 to stand alone, and then started it upon its career of 

 self-government and independence, granting it all 

 necessary aid. We have received from Cuba a grant 

 of two naval stations, so situated that they in no 



