The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-12-03

suring the universal peace of the worlt
by securing the possibility OF perma
Aent peace on this hemisphere.
During the past century other infu
ences have established the permanenct
and independence of the smaller state.
Of Europe. Through the Monroe doc
trlne we hope to he able to safeguard
like independence and secure like per
manence for the lesser among the new
| world nations.
This doctrine has nothing to do with
the commercial relations of any Amer.
ican-power save that it in truth allows
each Of them to form such as 1t desires.
In other words, it is really guarantee
of the commercial independence 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 misconducts
itself, provided that punishment does
not take the form of the acquisition OF
territory by any non American power.
Our attitude in Cuba is Il sufficient
guarantee of our own good faith. We
have not the slightest desire to secure
any territory at the expense Of any Of
our neighbors
The Navy.
The president dcvotcs considerable
space to the navy, the upbuilding of
which, he says, should be steadily con
tinued. The navy offers us, ii Is declar.
ed, the only means Of insisting on the
Monroe doctrine. and a strong navy is
the best guarantee against war He
recommends that provision be made
not only for more ships, but for more
men. Four thousand additional sea
men and 1000 additional marines
should be provided AS well as an In
crease in officers. After indorsing the
naval militia forces the president says:
But in addition we should at once
provide for a national naval reserve,
organized and trained under the direc-
ton of the navy department and sub
ject to the 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 drawn on at once for
manning our ships in time of war.
The Army.
1t is not necessary to increase our
army beyond its present size at this
time, but 1t is necessary to keep it at
the highest point Of efficiency. The in
dividual units who us officers and EN-
listed men compose this army are, we
have good reason to believe, at least as
efficient as those Of any other army in
the entire world 1t Is our duty to SEQ
that their training is of a kind to in.
sure the highest possible expression oi
power to these units when acting in
combination.
A general staff should bo created
Promotions should. be made solely
with regard to the good of the service.
Congress ought to provide, tlhe presi-
dent adds, fer field exercises. He con.
tinues:
Action should be taken In reference
to the militia and to the raising OF vol.
unteer forces. Our militia law is oh.
sOlete and worthless. The organization
and armament of the national guard of
the several states, which are treated
as militia In the appropriations by the
congress, should be made identical with !,
those provided for the regular forces.
The obligations and duties of the guard |
In time of war should be carefully de. |
fined and system established by law |
under which the method of procedure
Of raising volunteer forces should be |
prescribed in advance.
The Merit System.
The president indolses the merit sys.
TEN Of max ing appointments and says:
recommend the passage of law 1
which will extend the classified serv.
ice to the District of Columbia or will
at least enable the president thus to cx-
tend 1t. In my judgment all laws pro-
viding for the temporary employment
of clerks should hereafter contain a
that they be selected under
the civil service law.
The Postal Service.
A tribute is paid to the postal service,
and the extension Of free rural delivery
is commended. The postottice depart.
ment should be sustained. the president
says. in its efforts to remove the abuses
ln connection with second class mail
matter
Much attention Is paid TO. the situa.
lion in China, and the progress toward
the establishment of peace there is re.
capitulated. Stress is laid on the i'm
portnnce of our continuing TO advocate
in the dealings with China.
The president concludes his message as
follows:
The death Of Queen Victoria caused
he people Of the United States deep
md heartfelt sorrow. to which the gov.
.rnment gave full expression. When
President Mckinley died. our nation in
urn received from every quarter Of the
British empire expressions of grief and
no less sincere. The death
If the Empress Dowagcr Frederick Of
icrmany also aroused the genuine SYM
'athy OF. the American people, ana this
was cordially reciprocated
" Germany when the president was
ssassiuatcd. Indeed. from every quar-.
er of the civilized world we received
t the time of the presidents death as
urnnCcs of such grief and regard as to
ouch the hearts Of our people. In the
midst Of our addiction we rcverently
hank the Almighty that we are at
eace with the nations of mankind,
nd we firmly intend that our policy