The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-04-24
AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY


sary to protect these interests
Practically every American citizen
will agree to the general statement of
policy outlined in the above paragraph.
There will be many divergent opinions as
to what are the interests of the United
States. They may be rather difficult of
definition
There are some people in this coun-
try who believe that the interests of the
United States are limited to the defense of
continental United States from invasion.
Among other groups, the definition is
widened to include the protection of all
territory over which the American flag
flies. Another extension of our definition
would be broad enough to include the pro-
lection of the Western Hemisphere against
invasion.
Even with the extensions made above,
the definition would be enlarged by many
peope to include the protection of this
country against economic attacks. With
some, this would include the protection of
American commerce. With others, the in
terests of the United States would include
the protection of the entire Hemisphere
against economic attack .,.,
Even if we accept these definitions of
American interests and resolve to protect
them, there is considerable difference of
opinion as to the proper method of accom-
plishing this object.
Some of our citizens would attempt to
insulate the peoples of the Western Hemis-
phere against the rest of the world. Others
insist that the United States, as the worlds
richest nation and its strongest, cannot live
alone and must, therefore, participate in
the affairs of the world. Between these
schools of thought there are many others.
including those who see civilization men,
aced by aggressors who contend that un-
less the United States wishes to fight alone,
it should adopt a policy designed to assist
the democracies of the world in a strong
stand now.
1t may be taken for granted that the
American leaders and the American peo-
pie desire, first of all, if possible, to live
peaceably with the other nations of the
world. Popular support will go to the
course of action which seems best designed
to maintain peace. ~, ..', a ~
Naturally, the sympathy of the Amer
lean people is with the democracies More
over, our sympathies go to any oppressed
and mistreated peoples anywhere. AS a
natural consequence, there develops an
antipathy toward aggressors and oppres-
sors. There is popular resentment of
their methods and strong feeling that ex-
presses dangerous emotions. They should
not be allowed, however, to control the
foreign policy of this country.
Just as the United States, in its con-
duct of foreign affairs, should be guided
by the interests of Americans, it is obvious
that the policies of Great Britain, France,
Italy, Germany and Japan will be guided
by the interests of the nations named, as
those interests are understood by respon-
sible statesmen in the respective countries.
Just now, the rulers of Germany, Italy
and Japan seem to think that the interests
of their people can be best served by wag-
ing aggressive war. They are opposed by
nations whose leaders believe that the
best interests of their people can be served
by peace. Under such circumstances, war
is inevitable unless the peace-wanting ma
lions can produce a condition which will
convince the leaders of the aggressive ma
tons that it will not be to their interest to
begin war. If this can be accomplished,
there will be no war; if the idea cannot be
strengthened by concrete evidence which
will produce the desired impression in the
minds of the dictators, the world will see
another great struggle.
However, it will take time for the Am
erican people to make a decision either
way, particularly because there exists in
the United States at the present time, con-
trary to what certain warmongers are say
ing, bloc of pacific isolationists or non
interventionists, large in number and pre-