t Britain and France who drove their nations into
the Boer War and the Morocco imbroglio. Our anti-imperialists also are
animated by ideals similar to those of European anti-imperialists.

The issue between these two groups and these two policies and ideals
does not result in a single act of the national will. We do not go to
the polls and vote once for all to be imperialistic or
non-imperialistic, to grab what we can or seek a concert of the world.
The issue resolves itself into many immediate and seemingly unrelated
decisions. What we shall do in Mexico to-day, what action we shall
take in regard to a railroad concession in China, opposed by Japan,
what part we shall take in the coming peace negotiations are a few of
the many decisions, which slowly crystallise into a national state of
mind and finally into a national policy. The policy need not be
absolutely rigid or consistent. While in the early days America
decided upon a policy of isolation, we did occasionally interfere in
Europe, and despite our emphatic Monroe {153} Doctrine, we made at
least one agreement--the Clayton Bulwer Treaty--in flat contradiction
to its principles.

The decision, which we are now making between Nationalistic Imperialism
and Internationalism[1] is of vast moment. It is a decision which
determines not only our foreign but our domestic policy. For Europe it
is equally important, since it influences the balance of power between
those groups that are fighting for and those fighting against
imperialism and militarism. By our comparative freedom of action, we
can exert an immense influence either in accentuating the struggle
between the industrial nations or in promoting a concert of action,
based upon a discovered community of interest.

How we shall in the end decide is not yet certain. Though we are still
upon the whole anti-imperialistic, voices already are raised in favour
of a vigorous imperialistic policy. "The imperialism of the American,"
writes one defender of a policy of indefinite expansion, "is a duty and
credit to humanity. He is the highest type of imperial master. He
makes beautiful the land he touches; beautiful with moral and physical
cleanliness.... There should be no doubt that even with all possible
moral refinement, it is the absolute right of a nation to live to its
full intensity, to expand, to found colonies, to get richer and richer
by any proper means such as armed {154} conquest, commerce, diplomacy