THE INTEROCEANIC CANAL PROBLEM 201 



within the zone of neutrality. This fact, however, cannot 

 be regarded as an evidence of England's bad faith, or cited 

 to disprove her belief in the neutrality of interoceanic high- 

 ways. The position of the United States, with islands and 

 coaling stations on either side of Central America, would 

 place her in somewhat the same attitude toward the Nicara- 

 gua Canal. 



By following, therefore, the spirit of international law, by 

 observing her treaties, and by inviting the nations of the 

 world to join in keeping open the canal, the United States 

 deprives herself of one doubtful advantage, and at once 

 relieves herself from a host of perplexities. 



With the neutrality of the canal guaranteed by interna- 

 tional agreement between the great maritime powers, there 

 would be no need of fortifications ; because in the face of so 

 powerful a combination none would dare to violate the free- 

 dom of the route. American armies would not be needed to 

 defend its banks ; American ships would not be called upon 

 to raise a blockade or disperse a threatening squadron. The 

 United States would escape the many pitfalls of foreign 

 entanglements which the selfish policy of sole political con- 

 trol must inevitably place in her path ; and thus, the advo- 

 cates of neutralization maintain, by the adoption of a more 

 liberal policy in Central America, " an inexhaustible source 

 of international conflict " would be avoided. 



