Chapter Six: The Wilderness Years
Part III: The Lion Roars Once More
Theodore Roosevelt Addresses the Republican Party Convention:
“Almost eight years ago now, I stood before the American people and said, ‘I will consider the first three or so years of my Presidency as a full term, and will not seek another term as President of the United States.’ Now, I stand before you, here in the great city of Chicago, and say just the opposite. I stand before you today seeking my party’s nomination for the Presidency of the United States. Some may call me a hypocrite, still others a liar, I stand here today to make my case.
“When I left the office of the Presidency four years ago, we had just concluded a long, arduous, albeit successful war with the Japanese. We had just acquired a large portion of African lands which were freed from Japanese domination. Our navy, though battered, was the undisputed master of the Pacific Ocean. In addition to this, we were in the process of adding to our political strength in Europe.
“In those four years, however, we have seen the current president sell millions of newly liberated Africans back into slavery in the form of the Belgians. In that same time, we have seen the Japanese rebuild their fleet, at an unbelievable pace, to where they once again pose a great threat to our interests in the Pacific. William Howard Taft, though my former choice for President, has sacrificed big business interests for the well being of the American people. The selling of millions of square miles of African land, plus the lowering of military budgets to increase national income have seriously weakened our position in the world.
“Where do we go from here? I advocate the rebuilding of our Pacific Fleet so that it may again reign supreme throughout the waters of the Pacific. …..”
The audience spellbound, Roosevelt continued his speech for another hour. In it, he laid out his plans for a resurgence of the PAX AMERICANA policy of his previous administration. Though the big business republican part bosses withheld their support, Roosevelt somehow managed to carry enough delegates to attain the Republican party’s nomination for President.
He took office in January. By March the United States had entered an Alliance with the British Empire, a month later, an alliance was struck between the U.S. and Imperial Russia.
Their interest was common, prevent Germany from expanding any further than she already had.
