The civilized world, including the United States, had long since become reconciled to this situation as almost a normal one.

In recognizing momentarily successful adventurers, Great Britain and the United States had never considered such details as justice or constitutionalism: the legality of the presidential title had never been the point at issue; the only question involved was whether the successful aspirant actually controlled the country, whether he had established a state of affairs that approximately represented order, and whether he could be depended upon to protect life and property.

During the long dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz, however, certain events had taken place which had awakened the minds of Americans to the possibility of a new international relationship with all backward peoples.

The consequences of the Spanish War had profoundly impressed Page.

This conflict had left the United States a new problem in Cuba and the Philippines.