tectorates over other territories with a population almost as great. Nor is the dominance of the United States in Caribbean trade any better known. We are, with a few exceptions, the best customer of these communities. In the greater number we hold the most important position in their import trade. Steamship connections with North America are unequaled by those of any other region, and in the Caribbean ships sailing under the American flag occupy a place in foreign trade more important than on any other seas. This primacy of the United States in Caribbean trade is not one in a commerce which is of small or stationary amount. This region is one of the chief sources of American raw-material imports, and the rapidity of the growth of its commerce exceeds that of the trade with any of the great continental divisions. The object of this book is to present in popular form a brief outline of the more important political and economic developments in these countries which have a bearing upon the foreign policy and commerce of the United States. Obviously, a volume covering so wide a field cannot be an exhaustive discussion. The most that can be done is to present the salient outlines of the developments traced. The substance of two of the chapters on the "International Importance of the Banana Trade" and "Oil on the Caribbean" has appeared as articles in the North American Review. The editors have kindly consented to their republication here. CHESTER LLOYD JONES. University of Wisconsin. THE PANAMA REVOLUTION AND PANAMA TOLLS THE FORTIFICATION OF THE PANAMA CANAL. |