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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 June 2025
Russia is our opportunity. A prize is there not only in international trade but in a worthy international friendship. It will be a piece of national folly not to see this gain and not to strive for it. But make no mistake - the opportunity will not come to the door of the stupid, nor cry at nights beneath the windows of a people without capacity for international sense. Others will seek for Russian trade, Russian markets, Russian investment; the chance will not be served up to us sitting in an easy chair.
We must move. We must be up and at this thing. We must take those affirmative steps which fortunately are indicated clearly.
We must accept the view that mutual relationship, and particularly mutual trade relationship, requires, as any mutual benefit arrangement requires, concessions on both sides.
What must we require of our own government and of our own energy and commercial practice?
What must we require of Russia and of the change in her business manners and customs?
We need in Russia from now on, if we need it anywhere, a pungent diplomatic representative. The light of intelligence about the necessity of picking men of force with some visions of commercial possibilities and of affirmative, active international friendship in distinction to negative, passive, puttering international palaver, will soon dawn upon the American people. We need ambassadors everywhere with old-time steadiness but with their eyes on the future rather than reminiscent with memories of American politics. The ambassador's job should be one in which to see the prospect of a record, and not one in which to enjoy the retrospect of a record. After this war the United States will be dealing internationally as she has never dealt before. We will have no choice. We cannot stay out and we need to develop the international sense through the best and most vigorous men we can find. If present and former representatives measure up to that standard, neither they nor those who procured their appointment need worry; if they do not it will be a serious matter for Americans and no patriotic American will keep silent about visible delinquencies.
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