Page 209 - The interest of America in sea power, present and future

190 Preparedness for Naval War.

had not done, because he was prevented from
doing it, that instant he would do it."
Now the United States, speaking by various
organs, has said, in language scarcely to be
misunderstood, that she is resolved to resort to
force, if necessary, to prevent the territorial or
political extension of European power beyond
its present geographical limits in the Ameri-
can continents. In the question of a disputed
boundary she has held that this resolve— de-
pendent upon what she conceives her reason-
able policy — required her to insist that the
matter should be submitted to arbitration. If
Great Britain should see in this political stand
the expression of a reasonable national policy,
she is able, by the training and habit of her
leaders, to accept it as such, without greatly
troubling over the effect upon men's opinions
that may be produced by the additional an-
nouncement that the policy is worth fighting
for, and will be fought for if necessary. It
would be a matter of course for her to fight
for her just interests, if need be, and why
should not another state say the same? The
point — of honor, if you like— is not whether
a nation will fight, but whether its claim is