The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-30
COMRlSSloNER DAVIS TALKS

AUnmN NNu AAaNNAAAA u ~ vs.
TopIe1 viii BE- UpPormoat at the Paris
conference he AsIuIiesitaaiio
NEW YORK. August 2S.-The World
rays: THE American people are agl0w.
with patriotic fervor and the utmost
caImness is Necessary in considering our
future course" said United States Sem
a,or Cushman K. Davis, before leaving
the city for his home to prepare Tor MS
Journey to Paris as one OF the five ccu-
missioners to nrrange the hnat terms Of
peace between the victorious United
states and defeated Spain. tEvehts
have made Us one OF the great powers
of the earth" he continued. Whatever
ne may have desired ourselves hereto
fore. destiny has forced upon US re-
spons!bllltles that we must recognize
and accept. We have become a potent
factor in the worlds progress. A greater
actual naval and military power We are
already. We are not strong enough
yet, but not an hour must be lost In
euuIpping ourselves to cope with any
emergency that may confront us. our
volunteer army 10 as good. II NOT better
than any force OF the kind in-this world,
hui NE cannot rest secure In that
thought. We must have as good
navy as RnV nation on earth. We have
an excellent beginning. Ship for ship
we need fear nobody. But We mast
build ships with true American energy.
Nothing must deter US. We know that
we have the men to put behind the
guns.
1.-THE glorious victories of our navy
have brought US new responsibilities;
but the Philippines or the Sandwich Is
lands are not more Isolated than are
parts Of our Pacific coast. Hereafter
our power must be felt on the Pacific
ocean. The mere addition OF few
hundred miles OF territory by capture
or treaty does not increase our danger.
"You understand / am on record as
fayoring the retention Of territory that
has been acquired by the splendid VIC
tories Of our arms. am an American
citizen, speaking as such and ms re-
marks have nothing TO do with Official
duties that / shah undertake on Octo-
ber first as a commissioner TO the Con-
greSs OF Paris.
What that body will or Will not do, /
would not predict II could. am talk
Ing Of the situation as X exists to-day
and as every American citizen can see
II. The interests of the United States
must be jeaiously guarded from this
hour onward We have been remisS
and Indifferent in the past. Think OF the
Vlrginlus affair. That was the hour in
which we should have taught Spain her
lesson. How do you suppose similar
massacre OF American citizens In Ha-
vana would be received this afternoon?
Why, our warships would be on their
way to that port before midnight.
That's the difference. And II is we'll II
Is as II should be. The United states
has ceased to be the China OF the west
ern continent. We are alive, thank
God. and must not be insulted by any
power in this world. great or small.
That's the difference between the Uni
ted States OF the '70's and to-day.
And Isn't the change one that ought
to make every patriot glad? Wars are
Inevitable-or all history IS false. Steam
power has broadened their arena. No
nation Is safe. Japan's triumph over
China was robbed OF most OF its value
to the victorious nation by the interven-
ton OF a stronger power.
Are we TO be weak like Japan Can
we contemplate for an instant the in
reference OF any power that shall
abrldge the majesty and glory laid At
our feet By the Incompatible Dewey?
say Never"
Therefore you may quote me 1ustsas
strongly as you can as saying: More
battleships and after that more cruis-
ers, and battleships again. The men will
step forward as fast as we Gao build
the ships
Suppose that Dewey had been de-
featsd at Manila? What might have
been the fate OF the Hawaiian islands
and our Pacific coast from Bering Strait
to san Diego? The Aslatlc situation Is
one that deeply concerns Us. II We are
outwitted there We must at once pre-
pare for a defense OF our western coast
line from the same RggreSs!Ons that
have humbled the Oldest empire on
earth in the eyes OF modern ctviliza-
ton
what do you think OF the cordial re-
latIons between this country and Great
Brltaln?"
"They are timely and welcome. Tho
aversions OF generations has passed
away"
VIII the Cubans govern themselves?"
II hope 50. We have made them free
from the yoke Of Spain and their des-
tiny Is before them"