Mr. Roosevelt, just before sailing for South America, was entertained
at dinner in New York on Friday week by his Progressive supporters. He explained that he was going to visit Brazil, the Argentine, and Chile, because "the three great democracies wish to hear my views on democracy." He then, according to the Times correspondent, sharply attacked President Wilson's Mexican policy. He advocated stronger trade ties with South America, and declared that the policy of the United States must rest "not only on good intentions and sincerity, but also on strength." He cited his own action against San Domingo as an example of the right method. For four and a half years," he added, "the attitude of both the old parties in foreign affairs has been discreditable to our national self-respect and to our ability to serve either our own true interests or the true interests of foreign powers." There is only too much substance in the criticism. Great Britain has very good reason to approve the Monroe Doctrine, since it rules out the Western world from European quarrels, and this means a great simplification of the politics of the world. On the other hand, European nations continually see their trade interests jeopardized in regions where they are forbidden to interfere, and where the United States has not the strength to act as universal guardian.
