at Groton, and on the 3°th at Gettysburg. I'd like to discuss the National 

Committeeman with you. Faithfully yours 3°7°. TOEL1HUROOT Printed 1 

Washington, May 20, 19°4   

My dear Mr. Root:  

Through you I want to send my heartiest greetings to those gathered to celebrate the second anniversary of the Republic of Cuba. I wish that it were possible to be present with you in person. I rejoice in what Cuba has done and especially in the way in which for the last two years her people have shown their desire and ability to accept in a serious spirit the responsibilities that accompany freedom. Such determination is vital, for those unable or unwilling to shoulder the responsibility of using their liberty aright can never in the long run preserve such liberty .   

As for the United States, it must ever be a source of joy and gratification to good American citizens that they were enabled to play the part they did as regards Cuba. We 'freed Cuba from tyranny; we then stayed in the island until we had established civil order and laid the foundations for self-govern- ment and prosperity; we then made the island independent, and have since benefited her inhabitants by making closer the commercial relations between us. I hail what had been done in Cuba not merely for its own sake, but as showing the purpose and desire of this nation toward all the nations south of us. It is not true that the United States has any land hunger or entertains any projects as regards other nations, save such as are for their welfare. All that we desire is to see all neighboring countries stable, orderly and prosperous.  

Any country whose people conduct themselves well can count upon our hearty friendliness. If a nation shows that it knows how to act with decency in industrial and political matters, if it keeps order and pays its obligations, then it need fear no interference from the United States. 

Brutal wrongdoing, or an impotence which results in a general loosening of the ties of civilized society , may finally require intervention by some civilized nation, and in the Western Hemisphere the United States cannot ignore this duty; but it remains true that our interests, and those of our 

southern neighbors, are in reality identical. All that we ask is that they shall govern themselves well, and be prosperous and orderly. Where this is the case they will find only helpfulness,from us. To-night you are gathered together to greet a young nation which has shown hitherto just 

these needed qualities; and I congratulate not only Cuba . but also the United States upon the showing which Cuba has made.2
Sincerely yours, 
Theodore Rooselvet

1 New York Tribune, May 21, 1904. .Root read this letter at a Cuban anniversary dinner in New York on May 20. It is the first specific statement by Roosevelt of his corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. Widespread criticism resulted. The New York World called the letter "a flagrant 801