Some Basic Facts in Our International Relations

Abstract

O NE thing is peculiar about a factory; you do not deal with opinions there, but with hard facts. No opinion will stop a hammer from crushing you or any machine from rending you. Facts and only facts count. Is there one code for men and another code for nations? Are the rules of courtesy that you all recognize as binding on yourselves not binding as between great nations? Are the rules of practical wisdom that you all recognize in your own activities not in force as between nations? I call your attention to one fact, that in our international discussions (and this is a good specimen of them of the kind I mean) we deal habitually with a single thing or phase and we rarely or never take it in its relations. It is the relations which concern me most. The question of the war debts is one important thing; it is not the most important thing in our international relations. The question of the Kellogg Pact is an important thing-it is not the most important thing; and all of these have no controlling importance whatever, except so far as in their relations they come home to you and me. What is your personal and direct concern with our international affairs? I