In international law there is no judge, unless
the parties in interest agree that one shall be constituted; and there
is no policeman to carry out the judge's orders. In consequence, as
yet each nation must depend upon itself for its own protection. The
frightful calamities that have befallen China, solely because she has
had no power of self-defense, ought to make it inexcusable in any wise
American citizen to pretend to patriotic purpose, and yet to fail to
insist that the United States shall keep in a condition of ability if
necessary to assert its rights with a strong hand. It is folly of the
criminal type for the Nation not to keep up its navy, not to fortify
its vital strategic points, and not to provide an adequate army for its
needs. On the other hand, it is wicked for the Nation to fail in either
justice, courtesy, or consideration when dealing with any other power,
big or little. John Hay was Secretary of State when I became President,
and continued to serve under me until his death, and his and my views
as to the attitude that the Nation should take in foreign affairs were
identical, both as regards our duty to be able to protect ourselves
against the strong and as regards our duty always to act not only justly
but generously toward the weak.
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