After the negotiation of the canal treaty, the British government promptly recognized that American control of the Caribbean was a neces sary corollary of the American construction of the canal. Partly as a result of new condi tions in the Caribbean and in other parts of the world, and partly under the compulsion of the German menace of aggression, Great Britain concentrated her navy in the English Channel and the North Sea, and withdrew both fleets and garrisons from the West Indies, trusting to the United States the supremacy and control of the Caribbean region and the hemisphere — a control largely determined by and dependent upon the naval balance of power in European waters. The Monroe Doctrine, practically accepted by Great Britain, has been removed from the category of disturbing fac tors in Anglo-American relations.
Additional security for future Anglo-Amer ican relations was made in 1908 by the negotia tion and ratification of an Anglo-American arbitration treaty. A general treaty of arbitra tion to facilitate the settlement of disputes and to further the advancement of the cause of general peace was negotiated in September 1914 and proclaimed in January 1915.
Preparations for the international celebra tion of the century of Anglo-American peace after the Treaty of Ghent were interrupted by the action of Germany in precipitating the World War. In this war, begun by the brutal
invasion of Belgium and France directed by the military masters of Germany, the American government at first maintained a strict neutral ity but, finally, instigated by brutal German at attacks upon American rights on the sea, decided to co-operate with France and England in a determined effort to arrest the German menace to the peace and civilization of the world. Its decision in favor of close co-opera tion with the liberal governments of Great Britain and her loyal well-governed colonies against the disturbers of peace and in favor of the brave peoples whose rights were invaded, turned the tide of battle for peace and civiliza tion. In the final concentrated and successful effort to drive back the merciless foe from in vaded and devastated territories, British and Americans fought side by side with unselfish and courageous determination, and in the work of mercy and preparation for post-bellum restoration and reconstruction they co-operated in sacrifice with the single aim to establish happiness, justice and order, for the common welfare. The feeling of mutual respect and cordiality between the two countries has been strengthened by their conviction of common in terest, and by their practical co-operation in a great international cause_