The Mena star. (Mena, Ark.) 1898-1904, 1898-08-31
MUST DEFEND OUR INTERESTS
Ssnstor Davis, One OF tho Peace Commis-
sionsss, Makes Some sI9nincant
Remarks.

New York, Aug. 3O.-Senator Cush-
man X. Davis, before leaving this city
Tor 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-
otic fervor and the utmost calmness is neces-
sary In considering our future course Events
nave made us one OF the great powers OF the
earth Whatever we may have desired our
serves heretofore, destiny has forced upon US
responsibilities that we must recognize and ac-
cept we have become potent factor In the
Worios progress greater actual naval aud
military power we are already. We are NOT
strong enough yet but not an hour must be
lost IN squipping ourselves to cope
with any emergency that may confront
US Osr volunteer army is as good IL not
better. than any force of its kind in this world,
but we cannot rest secure in that thought We
must have large regular army ready at call In
the future We must have as good navy as
any nation on earth 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 characteris-
tic When we we're boys all OF US knew how to
handle firearms gun Is the earliest thought
OF the American youth Men are only grown
up boys. That explains our success ut Manila
and 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 foothold on the North
American continent? Now we see the trend OF
events in the east Providence has stepped in
= point the future course for us We must po-
lice the Pacific ocean. Its coast has been our
vulnerable point am on record as favoring
the retention OF territory that has been ac-
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 insulted by any power
In this world, great or small And isn't
the change tina. ought to make every
patriot gladf 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 it's value TO the victorious nation by
the Intervention of a stronger power Arc we
to be weak like Japan Can We contemplate
for an instant the Interference of any power
that shall abridge the majesty and glory laid at
our feet by the Incompatible Dewey? say
never" Therefore you may quote me just rs
strongly as you can as saying: More bat
tleships. and after that more cruisers and
battleships again The men will step for
ward a. fast as we can build the ships Sup
pose that Dewey had been defeated at Manila
What might have been the fate Of the Hawai-
ian islands and our Pacific coast from Behring
strait to San Diego? The Asiatic situation Is
one that deeply concerns US IL we are out
witted there we must at once prepare for de-
tense OF our western coast line from the same
aggregatons that have humbled the oldest en-
pire on earth in the eyes Of modern civiliza-