ROOSEVELT AND THE CARIBBEAN ROOSEVELT AND THE CARIBBEAN HOWARD C.
HILL, Ph. D. KfV The University of Chicago THE UNIVERSITTOF CHICAGO
PRESS CHICAGO ILLINOIS PREFACE THEODORE ROOSEVELT came to the presi
dency at a significant moment in the history of . the United
States. The old era of isolation, initi ated in a sense by Monroe,
was giving way to a new period of expansion, foreseen by
discriminating students and defi nitely launched by the
unanticipated results of the war with Spain. In the development of
the movement the young President, with his vigor, ambition, and
fearlessness, occupies an important place. Although he cannot be re
garded as the initiator of the new epoch, he played an in fluential
part in determining its character. Roosevelts relations with
foreign countries may be viewed conveniently as falling into three
aspects, each influenced by and intricately related to the others,
but each possessing characteristics and peculiarities of its own.
The aspects referred to are as follows first, relations with Eu
ropean countries second, dealings with the Far East and third,
contacts in the New World, especially in the region of the
Caribbean. It is to the last-named feature of Roose velts foreign
policy that the present volume is devoted. I hope ultimately to
treat the others also, especially the first. The student of recent
history faces serious problems. Working at close range to the
subject with which he deals, he finds it difficult to see details
in their true perspective and proper relationships. He also
discovers that it is hard vii PREFACE to attain the objective
attitude that is characteristic of his torical research at its
best. In addition, the sources from which hedraws and which alone
can give validity to his conclusions and interpretations are in
themselves causes of concern. On the one hand, he must sift a mass
of materi al which, owing to modern stenography, typewriting, and
printing, is enormous in extent and uneven in quality. On the other
hand, he often faces serious, if not vital, gaps or omissions
arising from an inability to gain access to impor tant sources of
information or from restrictions on the uti lization of material
during the lifetime of those concerned. Notwithstanding such
obstacles, historians must deal with contemporary movements as well
as with periods more remote. Each generation is concerned in the
history of its own personages and its own times. For obvious rea
sons it cannot wait for the clearer perspective and the more
complete information of a later day. It cannot take ad vantage of
the research of posterity. Under the circumstances, therefore, the
historical work er must do the best that conditions permit. He must
in vestigate with diligence all available sources of informa tion
he must sift material with an eye single for the truth he must
strive earnestly to interpret his findings with fidelity and
impartiality. However imperfect the realiza tion, such have been
the ideals and purposes that have guided the preparation of the
present volume. In so far as the sources are concerned, I have been
unusually fortunate. The writings and addresses of Roose velt are
voluminous. The correspondence, papers, and autobiographies of his
contemporaries are extensive, and, for the most part, open to
examination. The official records are exceptionally complete, the
world-war having brought to light material, such as is containedin
Die grosse Politik, viii PREFACE which before the great conflict
was inaccessible. Of great est importance in the present study are
the extensive Roosevelt Papers deposited in the Library of
Congress. This invaluable body of material, to which I was given
free and unrestricted access, includes, in addition to the great
bulk of Roosevelts public and private correspondence, copies of his
speeches, significant memoranda, engagement books, confidential
reports, and personal notes...
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