Frankly  speaking,  this  policy  has  not  been  a  purely
idealistic  one.  The  United  States  has  been  moved  by
altruistic  motives,  but  its  own  political  and  economic
interests  also  have  influenced  its  actions.  Mexico  can
count  on  the  continuance  of  this  service  in  the  future
whether  it  recognizes  and  welcomes  the  protection  or
not.  Similarly,  the  desire  that  Mexico  shall  remain  in-
dependent and  shall  become  a  strong  state  able  to  pro-
tect itself,  or  at  least  contribute  powerfully  to  its  own
protection  is  not  only  an  altruistic  desire  on  the  part  of
the  United  States.
MEXICAN-AMERICAN  RELATIONS    301

There  are  many  ways,  of  course,  in  which  no  other
country  can  assist  in  this  development.  If  Mexico  is
to  find  the  way  out  of  her  travail  to  a  worth-while  inde-
pendence, she  must  do  so  primarily  by  her  own  efforts.
There  are  some  ways  in  which  she  can  be  assisted.  The
granting  of  such  assistance  should  be  a  part  of  the
policy  of  the  United  States,  not  only  because  of  its
obligations  to  its  neighbor,  but  also  because  of  its  obliga-
tion to  itself.
