Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-04
Mr.. Morse's Address Before the
Naval War College.
WARSHIPS AND DIPLOMACY
Some Suggestions as to Americas $
Future Course.


Iege, delivered an address at Newport, r.
L. today, on Some Phases of International
Relations" In the course of his remarks
he said:
"A wise foreign policy will be Influenced
by commercial, quite as much as by po-
litical, considerations; or to express 1t in
another way, a political foreign pollcy, TO
be wise and consistent, should be SNAPPED
with reference to the trade necessities or
the national interests. 1t would seem to
follow therefore that national laws and IN
terna tional engagements should be framed
with reference to practical business. The
competition Of nations for trade is fiercer
today than it has ever been in the history
of the civilized world; ard this makes at
tention to affairs of this character OF pres
ent interest. 1t may be presumed that the
sreat effort made by this country to enter
into rela tions with Japan had for its main
purpose commercial interests of the people
of the United States. And it is creditable
to the branch of the service which you in
part represent that an officer of the United
States navy successfully accomplished the
objects of this delicate ciplomatlc mission
when so many other Eatfons had failed.
The story of the success of the eXpedluon
to Japan makes an interesting and instrlc-
tive lesson. 1t may be recalled today by
reason of recent occurrences in which the
empire of Japan has SO conspicuousiy
English French and Russians had each In
turn sought unsuccassfully to estabiish
and maintain commercial relations with
Japan. The persistence of Russia in par
ticular may be adverted to.
What Perry Said I'm 1856.
"In the light of current events what Com
ncdore Perry wrote in 1856 is Suggestive:
with harbors on the coast of eastern
Asia and western America, opening on a
sea which must be the seat of an immense
and lucrative commerce, Russia might ann
to be great maritime power, and to rule
| 1f tha tfsn
Japan she would have an abundance OF
harbors, unrivaled in the world for excel
lence, and with her resources, would con-
troll the commerce of the Pacific. 1t is not,
therefore the interest of any part of the
commercial world that Russia should ever
own Japan, but Russia has, doubtless, long
seen the Importance to her of its acqulsi-
ton. If she aims at being commercial
ration the possession of Japan would make
her emincntly so. The treatment of Japan
by other foreign states had naturally ex-
cited her suspicious against foreigners.
Russia had taken possession OF some OF
her islands, had excited suspicious of ul-
terror designs by fortifyng on another an
reXed territory at the mouth of the
Amour, and. as the japanese emperor said,
had an inclination for Japan, while Hol-
land had quietly submitted to degrada-
| ton, Imprisonment and insult for two hun
dred years, that the japanese unquestion-
ably formed their opinion of European for
eigners to some measure from the Dutch.
"A cartoon in a current German comic
paper represents female figure, with dis
tressed aspect and mouth extended, the
upper part of whose outer garment shaded
black, marked 'Europia,' wallet in hand,
and cat clinging to her shoulder, the lower
skirt of lighter coloring inscribed Asien.'
Japan, on her knees. saw in hand, IS In
the act of severing the foot of the figure,
which is labeled 'Corea.' The other foot,
labeled Formosa,' has been already de-
tached, and is under the kneeling figure.
Japan, raising eyes to Europia, inquiries,
Does that hurt you up there?
The Navy and Diplomacy.
"It has been said that naval strength has
become at this day the right arm of d.
plomacy and the most important element
in large snd critical foreign relations. A
navy is necessary to a commercial power,
and it is at once promoter and conserva-
tor of commerce, and without Its support
foreign trade would languish, if not perish
utterly This truth is taught by all the
lessons of history, and its observance to-
day becomes prudent and wise nation.
The time has come, said speaker a
few years ago, who had large experience in
public affairs, when addressing an Ameri-
can audience, as it appears to me, when
we need to have established a distinctive,
definite, wise, firm and above all con-
| sistent American policy in international
concerns.
There will be- l think substantial agree
ment among intelligent people in the in
| dorsement of this declaration. Embarrass-
seem heretofore to have initiated against
| or prevented the pursuit of such policy
in a symmetrical and harmonious course.
"a study of American diplomatic history
shows that the weak point has been the
want of continuity in our conduct of for
eign affairs At the same time it contains
many Illustrations anG instances of dis
tinctiye definite, wise and firm action upon
occasions of emergency. The foreign policy
of state, if 1t be wise and wholesome,
will be dictated very often by considera-
tions which have reference to the material
ard commercial development as well as
the political interests of the state.
Following the warnings of the founders
of the republic there are European en-
tanglements and questionable alliances
which it is wise for the United States as a
political community to avoid, but it is
neither wise practicable at this day
and under existing conditions for COM
mercial nation to preserve isolation without
suffering loss in the fierce competition of
trade.
The Diplomacy of the Future.
1T is idle to dwell upon the errors and
| mistakes of the past, except as they may
be used as warnings for future conduct.
The plea for definite, wise, firm and con-
sistent foreign policy implies that in times
past our intercourse with other nations has
| not always been of that character. This
| much may be admitted Among the causes
| of a policy which has not been always
| stable ard consistent are % the rapid
changes OF administrations in government;
| (2) Il conflict of views among partisans in
respect to foreign policies. which is too
| often founded alone upon hostility TO the
| party in power; C) the lack of natural
| aptitude or diplomatic training by those
| who are called to offices in which adapta-
bility or experience is essential 20 sue
| cess.
| 1.-The future, however, is before us; there
| are pending many and near at hand i'm
| portant subjects which must exercise
| American diplomacy in the near future;
| theye are many questions coming forward
which will require skillful and delicate
| treatment. Subjects and questions of rhis
| character may not be expected to be sue
| cessfully treated unless the people of the
| United States sustain their statesmen with
| a bold, unbroken support. One of these
| questions, which must be answered by the
| United States sooner or later, is, Shall an
| inter~oceanic canal be under control of the
| United States or be neutralzed?
'In this and other related questions, whose
| solution must depend upon wise, firm and
| consistent policy, diplomacy will be I'M
I equal to maintain the best interests of the
| republic unless it is sustained by suffi-
cient naval establishment. And it rests
| largely with the American people TO say