The United States has already made an effective beginning in this great work, both by the pacification of Cuba and by the attempt to introduce a little order into the affairs of the turbulent Central American republics.  The construction of the Panama Canal has given this country an exceptional interest in the prevalence of order and good government in the territory between Panama and Mexico; and in the near future our best opportunity for improving international political conditions in the Western hemisphere will be found in this comparatively limited but, from a selfish point of view, peculiarly important field.  Within this restricted area the same obstacles will be encountered as in the larger area, and success will depend upon the use of similar means and the exhibition of similar qualities.  Very little can be achieved in Central America without the cooeperation of Mexico, and without the ability to convince Mexican statesmen of the disinterested intentions of this country.  In the same way any recrudescence of revolutionary upheavals in Mexico would enormously increase the difficulties and perils of the attempt.  On the other hand, success in bringing about with Mexican cooeperation a condition of political security and comparative stability in Central America would augur well for the success of the larger and more difficult attempt to perform a similar work for the whole American hemisphere.

The most difficult task, however, connected with the establishment of a peaceful American international system is presented by Canada.  In case such a system were constituted, Canada should most assuredly form a part of it.  Yet she could not form a part of it without a radical alteration in her relations with Great Britain.  Canada is tied to the British Imperial system, and her policy and destiny depends upon the policy and destiny of the British Empire.  She is content with this situation, not merely because she is loyal to the mother country, but because she believes that her association with Great Britain guarantees her independence in respect to the United States.  Many Canadians cherish a profound conviction that the United States wishes nothing so much as the annexation of the Dominion; and the one thing in the world which they propose to prevent is a successful attack upon their independence.  This is the natural attitude of a numerically weak people, divided by a long and indefensible frontier from a numerous and powerful neighbor; and while the people of this country have done nothing since the War of 1812 positively to provoke such suspicions, they have, on the other hand, done nothing to allay them.  We have never attempted to secure the good will of the Canadians in any respect; and we have never done anything to establish better relations.  Yet unless such better relations are established, the United States will lose an indispensable ally in the making of a satisfactory political system in the Western hemisphere while at the same time the American people will be in the sorry situation for a sincere democracy of having created only apprehension and enmity on the part of their nearest and most intelligent neighbors.