THE INTEROCEANIC CANAL PROBLEM 193 



extent. The Nicaragua Canal, by virtue of its geographical 

 position, and also because of the American interests, which 

 it is particularly designed to serve, seems to fall appropriately 

 under the operations of this doctrine. 



The nations of the Old World have already completed their 

 short cut to the Orient, and opened the way to their colonies. 

 They are entirely free to make any disposition of their own 

 route. The United States claims no right to interfere, and 

 asks no voice in its management. Therefore, when the United 

 States shall construct her short route from the Atlantic sea- 

 board to California, Alaska, and Pacific islands, she has a 

 right to insist upon its exclusive control. A joint guarantee 

 of the Nicaragua Canal would reduce the United States to the 

 lower plane of importance and influence in Central America 

 occupied by the nations of the Old World. This should never 

 be permitted ; by her position in the Western Hemisphere, 

 the United States should enforce the claim to those privileges 

 which her paramount interests there clearly entitle her to 

 enjoy. The United States is heir to the Western Hemisphere. 

 The same " manifest destiny " which impelled the fathers to 

 reach forth to the Pacific Ocean will likewise urge their sons 

 to follow a scheme of rational expansion which will extend 

 the shore line of the United States to the Nicaragua Canal. 

 This course, they say, is inevitable. The first step in this 

 direction has been taken in Cuba and the West Indies. The 

 unlocked for acquisitions in the Pacific will make the second 

 step more than ever necessary. The territory intervening 

 between the Rio Grande and the San Juan rivers, they insist, 

 must eventually come under the control of the great northern 

 state. This fair land is misruled by a number of irresponsible 

 governments, the merest travesties upon republican institu- 

 tions. They are unable to maintain order, or to protect 

 United States capital seeking investment there. Peaceful 

 conditions in Mexico will probably end with the resignation 

 or death of President Diaz, and a return to tumultuous poli- 

 tics may be confidently expected. American interest will 

 sooner or later demand the acquisition of these states, when 

 the canal will be actually upon American soil. 



