The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-09-02
MUST DEFEND OUR INTERESTS
senator Davis, One OF the Peace Commits
siOners, Makes soms sIgniicant
Remarks.

New York, Aug. 20. senator Cush-
man X. Davis. before leaving this city
for his home to prepare for his journey
to Paris as one of the peace commits
sioners, uttered these significant
words:
The American people are aglow with patri-
otto fervor and the utmost calmnesN is neces-
sary IN considering our future course. Events
have made US one OF the great powers Of the
earth Whatever we may have desired our
selves heretofore destiny has forced upon u
responsibilities that we must recognize and ac-
cept We have become potent factor In the
world progress greater actual naval and
military power we are already We are not
strong enough yet. but not an hour must be
lost in cqupping ourselves to cope
with any EN- REGENCY that may confront
us Our volunteer army is as good, II not
better, than any force OF It's kind in this world,
but we cannot rest secure In that thought, We
must have a large regular army ready at call in
the future We must have as good a navy rs
any nation on e irth. We have an excellent
beginning, ship for ship we need fear nobody.
But we must build ships with true American
energy, Nothing must deter US We know
that we have the men TO put behind the guns.
Love Of gunnery Is an American character!S-
tic When we were boys all OF Us knew how 10
handle firearms A gun Is the earliest thought
of the American youth. Men are only grown
up boys That explains our success az Manila
ana Santiago
China Is the coveted part OF the earth's sur
face to-day, but who could have predicted six
months ago that Russia, Germany or Japan
would not covet "a foothold on the North
American continent Now we see the trend OF
events in the east Providence has stepped In
20 point the future course for IN. We must po-
lice the Pacific ocean Its coast has been our
| Vulnerable point 1 am on record as favoring
| the retention Of territory that has been &C.
| Quired by the splendid Victories OF our arms.
| The United States has ceased TO be the China
of the western continent We are alive, thank
| God, and must not be insuted by any power
In this world, great or small And isn't
the change one that ought to nuke every
| patriot glade Wars are inevitable-or
all history Is false Steam power
has broadened uheir arena. No nation Is safe.
Japans triumph over China was robbed OF
most OF It's value TO the victorious nation by
the intervention OF n stronger power. Are we
to be weak like Japan Can we contemplate
for an instant the interference OF anv power
that shall abridge the majesty and glory laid Mt
our feet by the incompatible Dewey? ] say
never" Therefore, you may quote me just as
strongly an YOU can as saying: More bat
.tleships, and after that more cruisers and
| battleships again The men will step for
ward Us fast as we can build the ships Sup
pose that Dewey ltad been defeated at Manila
| What might have been the tate OF the Hawai-
ian islands and our Pacific coast from. Behring
stEalt to San Diego? The Asiatic situation is
one that deeply concerns uS II we are out
gitted there we must at once prepare for n de
Tense OF our western coast line from the same
aggregate ns that have humbled the oldest en-
pire on earth In the eyes OF modern clylliza-
tiOn