trumental in composing many of the difficulties
that arose during the conference and their influence was exerted to
preserve the European balance of power. The facts in regard to
America's part in this conference were carefully concealed from the
public. There was nothing in any published American document to
indicate that the participation of our representatives was anything
more than casual. Andre Tardieu, the well-known French publicist, who
reported the conference and later published his impressions in book
form, first indicated that President Roosevelt was a positive factor in
the proceedings. But it was not until the publication of Bishop's
"Theodore Roosevelt and His Time" that the full extent of Roosevelt's
activities in this connection became known.

There can be no doubt that our participation in the Moroccan conference
was the most radical departure ever made from our traditional policy of
isolation. Roosevelt's influence was exerted for preserving the
balance of power in Europe. As we look back upon the events of that
year we feel, in view of what has since happened, that he was fully
justified in the course he pursued. Had his motives for participating
in the conference been known at the time, they would not have been
upheld either by the Senate or by public opinion. There are many
serious objections to secret diplomacy, but it cannot be entirely done
away with even under a republican form of government until the people
are educated to a fuller understanding of international politics. The
German Kaiser was relentless in his attempt to score a diplomatic
triumph while France was isolated. He was thwarted, however, by the
moral support which England, Italy, and the United States gave to
France.

During the proceedings of the conference the American delegates
declared in open session that the United States had no political
interest in Morocco and that they would sign the treaty only with the
understanding that the United States would thereby assume no
"obligation or responsibility for the enforcement thereof." This
declaration did not satisfy the United States Senate, which no doubt
suspected the part that was actually played by America in the
conference. At any rate, when the treaty was finally ratified the
Senate attached to its resolution of ratification the following
declaration:

"Resolved further. That the Senate, as a part of this act of
ratification, understands that the participation