Page:The Mexican Problem (1917).djvu/90

46. But forty thousand men would be too many if directed by the army officers alone."

Having blundered in and out of Mexico, it is now clearly the duty of the United States to reflect upon the situation and determine upon what basis it can extend a cooperative and effective helping hand to that unhappy country. If we do not do it, somebody else will.

There is no possible reading of the Monroe Doctrine that forbids Germany or England making the business development of Mexico or rendering financial assistance to the Mexican government and people. But when Mexico has to turn from her natural guardian and protector to European powers, the United States will be deservedly "counted out," both north and south of the Panama Canal.

No country in the world needs closer relations with the oil development of Mexico than the United States. The future demands not only redemption of the Mexican man of the soil, but the redemption of the American farmer as well.

Agriculture is basal in the world's progress. All industries, in both peace and war, rest upon