The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-09-18

4
presence as temporary laborer. preserv-
ing his national identity ans maintaining
a foreign scale of wages and living, must
ever prove an injustice 10 American pro-
ducers. as well as perpetual source of
| irritation.
PENSIONS.
The party expresses its pride in the
soldiers and sailors fall our wars, and
declares its purpose to deal generously
with them and their dependents A lfo-
| eral policy is natural and necessary IN a
| government which depends upon a citi-
| zen soldiery, instead of a large standing
| army. Seif-interest as well as gratitude.
| compels the government 10 make boun-
tiful provisions for those who. in the
hour OF dagr and at a great sacrifice,
1 of business health, and life, tender their
| services TO their country.
The pension laws should be construed
| according to the generous spirit which
prompted their passage The platform
very properly reiterates the position
taken IN 1895, that the fact of enlist
| ment shalt be deemed conclusive evil
dence that the soldier was sound when
| thhe government accepted him. A certif-
age,icate given now TO the health OF a
person wears ago. even is easily OBJ
tainable. should not have as much weight
| as the certificate OF the medical officer
! who examined thu volunteer with a view
| of ascertaining his fitness for army ser
vice.
NICARAGUA
! The Democratic party is in favor of
the immediate construction, ownership
| md
thhe United States The failure OF the
Republican party to make any progress
| in carrying out a pledge contained in it's
! platform four years ago. together with
| the substitution In it's latest platform
| of a plank fayoring an isthmian canal
| for specific declaration in favor OF the
| Nicaraguan canal would indicate that
| the Republican leaders either do not ap-
J preciate the importance OF this great
| waterway to the maritime strength and
commercial interests of the country or
! that they give too much consideration to
| the interested opposition of transcouti-
mental line. The Hays-Pauncefeote
| treaty, now vefore the senate would, If
ratified, greatly lesson the value of the
! canal, If it would not indeed convert IT
| into a positive menace in time of war.
| The paramount interests of the United
| States in the western hemisphere, to-
gether with the obligations to defend the
| republics to the south OF US, makes 1t
necessary that our government shall be
| able to close the canal against any hos
| tile power.
ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO AND OKLA
HOMA
Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma
have long been ready to assume the re-
| sponsibilities and enjoy the privileges Of
statehood, and it will be a pleasure, as
| well a duty, TO carry out the platform
! pledges concerning them.
ALASKA AND PORTO RICO.
There will be a popular acquiescence
in the demand for home rule, and a ter
and Porto Rico. Both are entitled to 10
cal self-government and representation
in congress.
CUBA.
The recognition contained IN both the
Democratic and Republican platforms of
the right of the Cubans TO independence
removes the general principle involved
from the domain of partisan politics IT
is proper, however. to consider whether
the accomplishment of this purpose can
be safely entrusted to the Republican
party after it has yielded to the allure
ments Of the Colonial idea, and abandon
ed its earlier faith in the natural and In
aHenaible rights of man.
RECLAMATION OF ARID LANDS.
The time is ripe for systematic and
extended effort to reclaim the arid lands
and fit them for actual settlers. The lat
est agricultural report estimates the
homes can thus be provided for many
millions OF people The impounding and
use OF the waters which are wasted in
the spring would people the western
states with thrifty, intelligent. and in
dustrious citizens, and they would fur
nish valuable market for all the pro-
Outs 'of the factories. A small percent
age Of the money spent in war Of con-
quest would provide occupation and habi-
tation for more people than would ever
seek a residence in colonies within the
tropics.
FOREIGN ALLIANCES.
The reasons given by Washington. JEFF
ferson, and the other statesmen OF the
early days in support Of the doctrine that
we should maintain friendly relations
with all nations. but enter into entang-
ling alliances with none. are even stron-
ger today than they were a hundred
years ago. Our commerce is rapidly III
creasing, and we are brought into con-
slant communication with all parts OF
theh world. Even II we desired 10 do so,
we could not afford Ia ALLEVIATE many ma
tions by cultivating unnecessary intimacy
with few. Our strength and standing
are such that it is less necessary than /
ever before 10 lean for aid upon the /
friendliness Of a foreign power
We cannot connect ourselves with Eu- /
ropean nations. ard share in their jea1- |
ousies and ambitions without losing the |
peculiar advantage. which our location. |
our character and our institutions give /
US in the worlds affairs.
MONROE DOCTRINE.
The doctrine enuncinsted by Monroe,
and approved by succeeding presidents.
IS essential 10 the welfare % the Unit
ed States. The continents Of Nosth and
South America are dedicated 20 the devel T
opment OF free government. One repub-
lie after another has been established,
until today monsrchiaI idea has barely
a footbold IL the new world.
While e is not the policy Of this coun-
try 70 interfere where snnicaoie reIa-
lions exist between Eropean countries
and their dependencies in America, our
people would look with disfavor upon
any attempt on the part Of the Euro
2esa government 70 maintain an uuTlli-
nE o. forcibie sovereignty ever the pso-
pie living or this side q ire AsFantfr
The position taken By the Reaub,.can