co. But
in this case and in general, the moral uplift of government must be
forced by us--I mean government in outlying countries.

Mexico is only part of Central America, and the only way we can
ever forge a Central and South American policy that will endure is
_this_ way, precisely, by saying that your momentarily successful
adventurer can't count on us anywhere; the man that rules must
govern for the governed. Then we have a policy; and nobody else has
that policy. This Mexican business is worth worlds to us--to
establish this.

We may have a diplomatic fight here; and I'm ready! Very ready on
this, for its own sake and for reasons that follow, to wit:

Extraordinary and sincere and profound as is the respect of the
English for the American people, they hold the American Government
in contempt. It shifts and doesn't keep its treaty, etc.,
etc.--They are right, too. But they need to feel the hand that now
has the helm.

But one or two things have first to be got out of the way. That
Panama tolls is the worst. We are dead wrong in that, as we are
dead right on the Mexican matter. If it were possible (I don't know
that it is) for the President to say (quietly, not openly) that he
agrees with us--if he do--then the field would be open for a fight
on Mexico; and the reenforcement of our position would he
incalculable.

Then we need in Washington some sort of Bureau or Master of
Courtesies for the Government, to do and to permit us to do those
little courtesies that the English spend half their time in
doing--this in the course of our everyday life and intercourse. For
example: When I was instructed to inform this Government that our
fleet would go to the Mediterranean, I was instructed also to say
that they mustn't trouble to welcome us--don't pay no 'tention to
us! Well, that's what they live for in times of peace--ceremonies.
We come along and say, "We're comin' but, hell! don't kick up no
fuss over us, we're from Missouri, we are!" And the Briton shrugs
his shoulders and says, "Boor!" These things are happening all the
time. Of course no one nor a dozen nor a hundred count; but
generations of 'em have counted badly. A Government without
manners.

If I could outdo these folk at their game of courtesy, and could
keep our