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Mee we - FOREIGN AFFAIRS... a | ‘found, I venture to believe, to question the wisdom of this policy at it was announced or for more than a century thereafter. Without it, the Re- public could not in all probability have withstood the ardeal of those formative WE Atl ail Diva Die eS Mee Sel See Wl LS sik camee og © Op years. It was an indispensable part of the scheme of free government. To- gether with the declaration of independence, the treaty of peace, and the Con- . ~_ stitution of the United States, this policy made up the title deeds to our liberty ~ and the guarantees of our independence. . - There were giants in the land in those days, men of deep insight into govern- ~ ment, of profound convictions, for which convictions they were always willing | to contend and for which they did contend. But in all their contentions, upon —-: this first great announcement as to our foreign policy there was no division. » And down through the fierce years of political warfare in which men fought | with the relentless ardor of great souls over almost every conceivable question of statecraft or politics, upon this policy they were united. Behind it for more than a century was the combined support and loyalty of this masterly group of men, the only body of men in all history who successfully organized, set up, and maintained a real representative Republic. rs Tt was under this policy that we grew in strength and influence, settled our domestic problems, brought prosperity and happiness to our own people, and won and held the respect of all nations, Under this policy we announced the doctrine of neutrality and maintained it. We announced the Monroe Doctrine - and saw to it that it was respected. In the midst of civil war, we sternly re- buked those who would interfere in our domestic affairs and our position was o ane a mom line af one fetaefeees ne qth slit. aMelee tremendously strengthened b y the policy of non-interference with their anairs which we had always unwaveringly maintained. The influence of this Republic was felt throughout the world, not because of armies or navies, but rather through the force of example — we lived up to our creed, peace, commerce and friendship with all nations. We were not ated, we were not reviled because we had not done more, and, though alone, we were not afraid. ; eee See oe oteininniet J The World War brought about for the first time a wide difference of opinion touching the foreign policy of the United States. Since that time it has been earnestly and ably contended that our foreign policy, so long a part of our national life, was no longer applicable to conditions brought about by that great conflict, and that it should be abandoned once and for all. With this program was to go that part of international law relating to neutrality. We were to assume a2 position in world affairs the very reverse of that which we had held from the beginning of the government. We were not only to accept full part and responsibility in the adjustment of all questions of international import — and they were practically all of that nature — which should arise in Europe or in the Orient, but even in the remotest regions of the earth. We were never to assume the “immoral” position of neutrals. Nationalism and devotion to one’s country were to be reduced to a minimum. Internationalism was to be the supreme, dominating force among the peoples of the world. Like other revolutions, it sought to Break with all the past, its traditions, its policies, and the views and teachings of its mighty leaders. In this revolutionary movement were two groups of individuals — working to the same end but in quite different ways. There were those who sincerely believed that the new course was the high and honorable and most beneficial the time ~