They could then permanently seize the Panama Canal nd any territory they pleased in Central America or South Anlerica and without control of the sea we would be powerless to strike back. no matter hlow great our resources. Apply the same principle to Asia. Our Pacific slope is open to attack. Panama. Alaska. Hawaii. Guam. and the Philippine Islands are open to attack to In Asiatic army in control of the sea. With regard to the Philipine Islands I inay realark that whether we stay in them or not we lmust protect them. I believe. for my part. that we are going to give Ohw peiople of the Philippine Islands selfgovernment as fast as they arc -:apable of exercising it. and a little faster. but always we shall hnve to defend them.