davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03
MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS.
Laws Relative to State Soldiers Are
Obsolete and Worthless

Action should be taken in reference to
teer forces. Our militia law is obsolete
and wort hless. The organization and arm
ament of the national guard of the several
states, which are treated as militia in the
appropriations by the congress, should
the regular forces. The obligations and
be carefully defined and a system estab-
iished by law under which the method of
Should be prescribed in advance. It is ut
terly impossible in the excitement and
haste of impending war to do this salts
factorily if arrangements have not been
made long beforehand. Provision should
be made for utilizing in the first volun-
teer organizations calie6 OUT the aFali h
experience under arms. and especially for
any force which may be raised: for care
full selection of the kind necessary is inn
That the army is not at all mere in
strument of destruction has been shown
dTTng the last three oto r Rc the P hns
proved itself a great constructive force, a
most potent implement for the upbuild-
ing u sAv PfiSiss c OF THE Union.
No other citizens deserve so well of the
republic as the veterans. the survivors of
those who saved the Union They did the
one deed which if left undone would have
nothing. But for their steadfast prowess
in the greatest crisis of our history, all
our annals would be meaningless and our
great experiment in popular freedom and
self-government a gloomy failure More
ton. but they left US also as a heritage
the memory of the mighty deeds by which
the nation was kept united. We are now
indeed one nation one in fact well
in name; united in our devotion
to the flag which is the symbol of nation
al greatness and unity; and the very com
pleteness of our nation enables US all in
every part of the country. to glory in the
valor Shown aIike by the sons of the
north and the sons of the south in the
times that tried mems souls
The men who in the last three years
have done so well in the East and the West
Indies and on the mainland of Asia have
In any serious crisis the United States
must rely for the great mass of its fight
ing men upon the volunteer SOldiery who
do not make a permanent profession of
the military career and whenever such a
the civil war will give to Americans the
lift of lofty purpose which comes to those
whose fathers have stood va1iantly in the
forefront of battle.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03

step, and long step, toward assuring
the universal peace of the world by
securing the possibility of permanent
peace on this hemisphere
During the past century other in
m lia11tae and Independence of the
smaller states of Europe. Through the
Monroe Doctrine we hope to be able
to safeguard like independence and Sc
cure like permanence for the lesser
among the New World nations.
NO COMMERCIALISM
This doctrine has nothing to do with
the commercial relations of any Ameri-
can power, save that it in truth allows
each of them to form such as it de-
sires. In other words, it is really a
ence of the Americas. We do not ask
under this doctrine for any exclusive
commercial dealings with any other
American state. We do not guarantee
any state against punishment if it mis-
conducts ITSELF provided that punish
ment does not take the form of the
acquisition of territory by any non
American power.
Our attitude in Cuba is a sufficient
guaranty of our own good faith We
have not the slightest desire to secure
any territory at the expense of any of
our neighbOrS. We wish to work with
them hand in hand, so that all of us
may be uplifted together, and we re-
joice over the good fortune of any of
them. we gladly hail their material
are concerned and alarmed if any of
them fall into industrial or political
chaos. We do not wish to see any Old
World military power grow up on this
continent, or to be compelled to become
a military power ourselves The peO-
pies of the Americas can prosper best
if left to work out their own salvation
in their own way.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03

1 1hoaTht aHd p aa =h4 now deFs
this time come, the fault viii rest primar-
events puts in supreme command at the
moment, but upon those who have failed
sHoULD BE No CESSATION.
there should be no cessation in the
genuity has Been wholly unable to devise
a substitute for the great war craft
terry of the high seas. 1t is unsafe and
uwise not to provide this year for sew
sarmored cruisers. with auxiliary and
lighter craft in proportion; for the exact
report of the secretary of the navy But
there is something we need even more
tional officers and men. To provide bat
the ships and cruisers and then lay them
unnamed until they are needed in actual
war, would be worse. than folly; it would
pc a crime against the nation.
tent enemy unless those aboard it have
wee, including incessant gunnery- prac-
ice would be to invite not merely dis
iation- Four thousand additional seamen
ana one thousand additional marines
should be provided; and an increase in
the officers should be provided by making
a large addition to the classes at Annapo-
should be mentioned in connection with
Annapolis The pretentious and unmean-
ing title OF naval cadet should be abOl-
ished; the title of ''midshipman'' full of
histSFe iaTs9c a5 shpSld be regtoyed
Even in time of peace a war ship should
be used until it wears. out, for only SO
gency. The officers and men alike should
be kept as much as possible on blue wa
their duties they should be learned.
The big vessels should be manoeuvred in
ships, but the necessary proportion of
cruisers and scouts. The torpedo boats
should be handled by the younger Off
GERS in such manner as will best fit the
latter to take responsibility and meet the
emergencies of actual warfare.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03
ARMY BIG ENOUGH.
Nothing Necessary but a High Point
IF Effioianou

1t is not necessary to increase our army
beyond it's present size at this time. But
it is necessary to keep it at the highest
point of efficiency. The individual units
who as officers and enlisted men COM
pose the army, are, we have good reason
to believe. at least efficient those
Of any other army in the entire world
1t is our duty to see that their training
is of a kind to insure the highest possible
expression of power to these units when
acting in combination
The conditions OF modern war are such
as to make an infinitely heavier demand
than ever before upon the individual
the enlisted man and to make it far more
diffic1lt for men to act together with eff
feet At present the fighting must be
done in extended order, which means
at the same time act in combination with
others with whom he is no longer in the
old fashioned elbow-tO-elbow touch. I'm
der these conditions few men of the
highest excellence are worth more than
is only found as the result of special
training applied to men Of exceptional
most Valuable fighting man and the most
difficult to perfect is the rifieman who is
also fI SffFrf! ae9 On nj H III
The proportion of our cavalry regi-
American cavalryman. trained to manoeu-
vre and fight with equal facility on foot
soldier for general purposes now. to be
found in the world. The ideal cavalryman
on foot as effectively as the best in
fantryman. and who is in addition I'M
his horse and in his ability to fight on
horsebaclz
A general staff should be created AS
for the present staff and supply depart
ments. they should be filed by details
from the line, the men detailed return
ing after a while to their line duties. 1t
is very undesira BILE to have the senior grades
of the army composed of men who have
come to fill the positions by the mere
fact of seniority A system, should be
adopted by which there shall be an elm
ination grade by grade of those who seem
unfit to render the best servise in the
next grade. Justice to the veterans or
the civil war who are still in the army
would seem to require that IN the matter
of retirements they be given by law the
same privileges accorded TO their com
rades in the navy
POLITICS MUST BE, KEPT OUT.
The process of eIirnindtion of the least
fit should be conducted in a manner that
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03

of duty including flour. cereals and rice
been agreed upon in the settlement.
STOOD FOR MODERATION.
During these troubles our government
has unSwervingly advocated moderation.
and has materially aided in bringing
about an adjustment which tends TO
nance the welfare of China and to lead
to a more beneficial intercourse between
the empire and the modern world. while
in the critical period of revolt and massa-
ere did full share in safeguarding
life and property. restoring order and vim
dicating the national interest and honor.
1t behooves to continue in these paths.
doing what lies in our power TO foster
feelings of good will and leaving no effort
untried to work out the great policy OF
full and fair Intercourse between China
and the nations. on footing of equal
rights and advantages to all We adNO-
cate the f"open door with all that IL Inn
plies. not merely the procurement OF en-
larged commercial opportunities on the
coasts, but across to the interior by the
waterways with which China has been so
extraordinarily favored Only by bring
ing the people of China into peaceful and
friendly community of trade with all the
peoples of the earth can the work now
auSpiciously begun be carried to fruition.
In the attainment of this purpose we nee
essarily claim parity of treatment under
the conventions, throughout the empire
for our trade and our citizens with those
all other MOWERS
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03
TRIUMPH OF 1898.
It Was Largely Due to Forethought
and Pranaration.

While awarding the fullest honor to the
men who actually commanded and
manned the ships which destroyed the
Spanish sea forces in the Philippines and
in Cuba. We must not forget that equal
need Of praise belongs to those without
whom neither blow could have been
struck The congressman who voted years
in advance the money to lay down the
ships, to build the guns to buy the armor
plate; the department officials and the
business men and wage workers who fur
niShed what congress had authorized the
secretaries of the navy who asked for and
expended the. appropriations. and finally
the officers who in fair weather and, foul.
on actual sea service. trained and disci-
plined the crews of the ships when there
full share in the glory of Manila and San
tiago, and the respect accorded by every
true American to those who wrought such
signal triumph for our country. It was
forethought and preparation which Sc
cured US the overwhelming triumph of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03
CABLE AND CANAL.
Crying Need of Both Is Pointed Out
RI G0uOraSS

I call your attention most earnestly
to the crying need of cable to Ha-
wall and the Philippines, to be contln-
ued from the Philippines to points In
Asia. We should not defer a day long
er than necessary the construction Of
such a cable. 1t is demanded not mere
~ for commercial but for political and
military considerations
Either the congress should immedi-
ately provide for the construction of a
government cable, or else an arrange
ment should be made by which like ad-
Vanta ges to those accruing from a gov
eminent cable may be secured to the
government by contract with a private
cable company.
ISTHMIAN CANAL
No single great material work which
remains to be undertaken on this con-
tinent is of such consequence to the
American people as the building of a
canal across the Isthmus connecting
North and South America It's import
ance to the nation is by no means linn
tied merely to it's material effects upon
our business prosperity; and yet with
view to these effects alone it would be
to the last degree important for US inn
mediately to begin it. While its bene-
fetal effects would perhaps be most
marked upon the Pacific coast and the
Gulf and South Atlantic states, it would
also greatly benefit other sections 1t
is emphatically a work which it is for
the interest of the entire country to be-
gin and complete as soon as possible;
II IS one of those great works which
only great nation can undertake with
prospects of success, and which when
done are not only permanent assets in
the nations material interests, but
standing monuments to its construc-
tive ability.
CANAL TREATY.
am glad to be able to announce to
you that our negotiations on this sub
ject with Great Britain, conducted on
both sides In a spirit of friendliness and
mutual good will and respect, have re-
suited in my being able to lay before
the senate a treaty which if ratified viii
enable US to begin preparations for an
1sthm1an canal at any time, and which
guarantees to this ma ton every right
that 1t has ever asked in connection
with the canal In this treaty, the old
Clayton-Rulwer treaty, so long recog-
n1zed as inadequate to supply the base
for the construction and maintenance
of necessarily American ship canal is
abrogated. 1t specifically provides that
the United States alone shall do the
work of building and assume the re
sponsibility of safeguarding the canal
and shall regulate its neutral use by all
nations on terms of equality without
the guaranty or interference of any
outside nation from any quarter The
signed treaty will at orce be laid be-
fore the senate, and if approved the
congress can then proceed to give effect
to the advantages it secures US by pro-
VidinS for the building of the canal
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03
PAN-AMERIcAN CONGRESS.
Money Fraudulently Obtained From
Mexico Should Be Paid Back.

We view with lively interest and keen
hopes of beneficial results the proceedings
at the invitation of Mexico and now sit
ting at the Mexican capital The dele
most liberal instructions to cooperate
with their colleagues in all matters prom
American commonwealth. as well in
their relations among themselves as in
their domestic advancement and in their
intercourse with the world at large.
My predecessor communicated to the
Abra awards against Mexico have been
adjudged by the highest courts of the
fraud and perjury on the part of the
claimants and that in accordance with the
the hands Of the secretary of state on
these awards has been returned to Mexi-
received from Mexico on these awards
had been paid by this government to the
courts was rendered. My Judgment is
that the congress should return to Mexico
an amount equal to the sums thus already
EXCHANGE OF CONDOLENCES.
The death of Queen Victoria caused the
people of the United States deep and
heartfelt sorrow, to which the government
gave full expression. When President Nc
Kinley died our nation in turn received
from every quarter of the British empire
sincere. The death of the Empress Dow
ager Frederick of Germany also aroused
people: and this sympathy was cordially
reciprocated by Germany when the pres
cry quarter of the civilized world we re-
ceived at the time of the presidents
death, assurances of such grief and re-
CARDS as to touch the hearts Of our peo-
Pile In the midst of our affliction we rev
erently thank the Almighty that we are
al peace with the nations of mankind:
and we firmly intend that our policy shall
be such as to continue unbroken these in
ternational relations of mutual respect
and good will
LH,eo-<o-a-e e oo+e1-<-fr
White House, Dec. 3, 1901.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03
UNcEAsING PRACTICE.
Our Ships Should Equal Any in the
World in EfficiencY

Every detail ashore which can be per-
formed ~ the oicer being 9uii Iept for his
special duty in the sea Service. Above
ceasing. 1t is important to have our navy
of adequate size, but it is even more
important that ship for ship it should
equal in efficiency any navy in the world
rms is possible only with highly drilled
perativeiy demands Continuous and pro-
gressive instruction in target practice
erai discipline our Ships r'i must t." be as
sembled in squadrons actively cruising
anchor The resulting wear upon en-
gines and hulls must be endured; bat
and men is wei paid for by the results,
while on the other hand, no matter in
how excellent condition. it is useless if
NUMBER OF BATTLEsHIPs
propriated FOR for Of Which line nine are 5ps com
pleted and have been commissioned for
be ready in from two to four years, but
it will take at least that time to recruit
of vast concern that We have trained
crews ready for the vessels by the time
good guns are Simply good weapons. and
the best weapons are useless save in the
with them. The men must be trained and
drilled under a thorough and well planned
the recruiting must be carried on with
still greater vigor. Every effort must be
made to exalt the main function of the
officer-the command of men. The lead
ing graduates of the naval academy
should be assigned to the combatant
ESsENTIALS OF SUCCESS.
Many of the essentials of success are
already recognized by the general board,
which, as the central office of growing
staff. is moving steadily toward a proper
war efficiency and a proper efficiency of
the whole navy, under the secretary. This
general board, by fostering the creation
of a general staff, is providing for the Of
fetal and then the general recognition of
our altered conditions as a nation and of
the true meaning of a great war fleet,
which meaning Is, first, the best men,
and, second, the best ships.
CARNATIONS, and are trained for coast
service, and in event of they will
constitute the inner line of defense. They
should receive hearty encouragement from
the general government.
A NAVAL RESERVE
But in addition we should at once pro-
vide for national naval reserve, organ
lied and trained under the direction of
call OF the chief executive whenever war
becomes imminent. 1t should be a real
auxiliary to the naval seagoing peace
establishment and offer material to be
in time of war. 1t should be composed
of graduates of the naval academy, grad
yates of the naval militia, officers and
crews of coast line steamers, longshore
yachts. together with the coast popula-
ton about such centerS as life saving
stations and light houses.
The American people must either build
make up their minds definitely to accept
a secondary position in international af-
fairs, not merely in political, but in COM
mercial matters 1t has been well said
tional disaster than to be "Opulent, ag
greSsive and unarmed-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
Our Attitude Toward Cuba an Evil
deEce of Good Faith.

The true end Of every great and free
people should be self-respecting peace:
and this nation most earnestly desires
sincere and cordial friendship with all
Others Over the entire world of recent
years, wars between the great civilized
powers have become less and less fire.
Quent Wars with barbarous or semi
barbarous peoples come in an entirely
different category, being merely most
regrettable but necessary interna tional
police duty which must be performed
Tor the sake OF the welfare OF mankind
Peace can only be kept with certainty
where both sides wish to keep it; but
more and more the civilized peoples
are realizing the wicked folly of war
and are attaining that condition of Just
and intelligent regard for the rights of
others which will in the end. as we
hope and believe, make Worldwide
peace possible The peace confarance
at The Hague gave definite expression
to this hope and belief and marked a
stride toward their attainment
This sane peace conference acouiesced
IN our statement of the Monroe Doc
trine as compatible with the n11rnoses
and aims of the conference
FOR ALL AMERICA.
Inc Monroe Doctrine should be the
cardinal feature of the foreign policy
of all the nations of the two Arpericas
as 1t is of the United States lust
seventy-elght years have passed since
President Monroe in his annual mes
sage announced that THE American
continents are henceforth not to he
considered as subjects for future COL
on1zat1on by any European power - In
other words, the Monroe Doctrine is a
declaration that there must he no tor
ritorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT by anv non
American power at the expense of anv
American power on American soil. It
Is IN no wise intended as hostile TO anv
nation in the Old World Still less ;s i
intended to give cover to any a agrees
sion by one New World power az the
expense OK any other. 1t is simply a
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03

would render it practically impossible to
apply political or social pressure on be-
may be judged purely on his own merits.
PRESSURE for the promotion of civil officials
it IS tenfold worse where applied on be-
half of the officers of the army navy.
Every promotion and every detail under
the war department must be made solely
with regard to the good of the service and
to the capacity and merit of the man
himself. No pressure, political. social or
personal. of any kind. will be permitted to
exercise the least effect in any question
of promotion or detail; and if there is rea-
son to believe that such pressure is ex-
ercised at the instigation of the officer
concerned. it will be held to initiate
against him In our army we can not
afford to have rewards duties diStrib-
uted save on the simple ground that those
who by their own merits are entitled to
the rewards get them, and that those
who are peculiarly fit to do the duties are
chosen to perform them.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03

goes on the warpath, so we must make
II evident, unless we are false TO our
own traditions and to the demands OF
civilization and hun anity, that Wniie
we will do everything in our power for
the Filipino who is peaceful, we VIII
take the sternest measures with tne
Filipino who follows the pain OF lne
1nsurrecto and the ladrone.
The heartiest praise is due TO large
numbers of the natives of the lslanos
for their steadfast loyalty. The Maca-
bebes have been conspicuous LOT tneiI
courage and devotion to the flag 1
recommend that the secretary or war
be empowered to take some systematic
action in the way of aiding those OF
these men who are crippled in the ser
vice and the families of those who are
killed.
LEGISLATION NEEDED.
The time has come when there should
be additional legislation for the Pnlllp-
pines. Nothing better can be done Tor
the islands than to introduce lnduS-
trial enterprises. Nothing would benent
them so much as throwing them open
to industrial development the connec-
ton between idleness and MISCHIEF Is
proverbial, and the opportunity TO 90
remuneratiVe work is one OF the SuresI
preventives of war OF course no busl-
ness man Will go into lie Philippines
unless it is to his interest TO 10 SO, anu
1T is immensely to the interest OF the
islands that he should go in. 1t is
therefore necessary that the congress
should pass laws by which the re-
sources of the islands can be develop
ed; so that franchises (for limited terms
of years. can be granted to companies
doing business in them, and every en-
enlargement be given to the incoming
of business men of every kind.
FIELD MUST BE OPENED
Not to permit this is to do a wrong
to the Philippines. The franchises must
be granted and the business permitted
only under regulations which VIII
guarantee the islands against any kind
of improper exploitation. But the vast
natural wealth of the islands must be
developed. and the capital willing to
develop it must be given the opportunl-
ty The field must be thrown open to
individual enterprise, which has been
the real factor in the development OF
every region over which our flag has
flown. 1t is urgently necessary to enact
suitable laws dealing with general
transportation, mining, banking, cur
rency, HON esteads, and the use and
ownership of the lands and timber
These laws will give free play to in
dustria1 enterprise; and the commercial
development which will surely follow
will afford to the people of the islands
the best proofs of the sincerity of our
desire to aid them.