The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-10
LODGE ON RECIPROCITY
MASSACHUSETTS, SENATOR SPEAKS
BEFoRE THE MIDDLEsEx CLUB.
He Urges the Negotiation of CONNER
ciaI Treaties and the Building
of an Canal

BOSTON. Nov. Am exceptionally large
number of the Middlesex club attended the
dis ner Of the club at Young's Hotel this
afternoon. Hon. Edgar r. Champiin pre-
sided and the gathering included many
OF the Massachusetts, delegation in Con-
gress. state and national officers and prom
Inent Republicans. Senator Lodge and
Michael j. Murphy. OF Boston. were the
only speakers. the latter discussing the
results OF the recent elections.
Senator Lodges address was listened TO
with the closest attention. He began with
a warm tribute TO the late President Nc
Kinley. and In the course Of his remarks
strongly urged reciprocity with other coun-
tries along the lines mentioned in Presi-
dent McKinley's Buffalo speech. and the
upbuilding Of the navy. also touching upon
other national issues. On the reciprocity
question he said: TIC this subject it is GER
tain that most anxious consideration will
be given by President Roosevelt and by
Congress at the ensuing session. Whether
il will be deemed best 10 put this policy
into execution by means of some general
legislation equivalent 10 a reciprocal ar
rangement with all the nations of the earth
or by a series of separate treaties it is
as yet too early TO say"
He said that he considered reciprocity
with Cuba as first and most important for
political as well as economical reasons.
He then briefly discussed the reciprocity
trea ties now pending in the Senate and
concluded this portion OF his remarks by
saying: Last, we come 10 the treaty
with France, which Is more important,
economically, than all the other treaties
put together. L should like to see a treaty
naaLa Uffh France n * "A country Wit h
which / fain would strengthen our good
relations. L regard such "a treaty as po-
litically and economically desirable In a
very high degree
In conclusion he advocated legislation
that would put the American merchant
marine on an equality with that of other
countries and the building of a navy. He
said: The whole country, i think, favOrs
the building of an isthmian canal. L be-
lieve. from what little | know, that We
shall have "A treaty with England at the
coming session which Will remove, honor
ably for both nations. whatever obstacles
now exist as TO building of the canal In the
submitted TO us by the President there is
no more pressing duty than its immediate
ratification, to be followed at once by the
passage OF the canal bill. There is one
other condition that Is essential to the
commerce and industrial development of
the United States which in the last five
years has entered into a new epoch, and
that IS the maintenance of peace. There
is no nation in the world to which peace is
so important as IL is TO the United States
in order TO secure ample scope for the
great progress We are making.
w are in good relations now with all
the world, and 1t will be, l am sure, the
effort Of President Roosevelt. as il was of
President Mckinley, 10 maintain these
good relations. There IS only one point of
danger. and to assure peace we must pro-
tect ourselves in that direction. Firmly
but quietly the Monroe doctrine must be
rigidly upheld. The entrance OF any great
European power into the American hemi-
sphere, either by the acquisition of territory
or the establishment of forts and naval sta
tions. would be the instant menace of the
peace we are so anxious TO maintain.
THE best insurance and the best guar
antee OF peace are in the possession of a
navy so strong that no nation of the world
would be tempted to attack US. Complete
preparation is the surest protection against
aAr and war Is what We wish to avoid
not only morally but economically, in ev.
cry honorable way"