Ted Roosevelt’s accomplishments were vast:
He fought police corruption in New York;
Enlisted Hague arbitration in order to die-cast
A peace with Mexico; next, drove a fork
In Spain’s Philippines access and its rights;
And mediated peace between Russia and Japan.
But his tactics were often force, and always might.
He helped rebels create Panama, and then he banned
Other nations from building or using the upcoming Canal . . .
His expansionist agenda was called ‘petit mal.’
He saw nations as civilized or not civilized, and when not,
Believed it a boon to industrialize them – by peace or shot.
He believed in “some form of international police power,”
“Willing” and “competent” to stand forth at the appointed hour.
June Edvenson 