Let us see how these doctrines affect smaller and weaker States which
have hitherto lived in comparative security beside great powers. They
will be absolutely at the mercy of the stronger, even if protected by
treaties guaranteeing their neutrality and independence. They will not
be safe, for treaty obligations are worthless "when they do not
correspond to facts," i.e., when the strong power finds that they stand
in its way its interests are paramount.
If a State hold valuable minerals, as Sweden has iron, and Belgium coal,
and Rumania oil, or if it has abundance of water power, like Norway,
Sweden, and Switzerland; or if it holds the mouth of a navigable river,
the upper course of which belongs to another nation, a great State may
conquer and annex that small State as soon as it finds that it needs
minerals or water power or river mouth. It has the power, and power
gives right. The interests, sentiments of patriotism, and love of
independence of the small people go for nothing. Civilization has turned
back upon itself; culture is to expand itself by barbaric force;
Governments derive their authority, not from the consent of the
governed, but from the weapons of the conqueror; law and morality
between nations have vanished.
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