The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-05

by contract with a private cable com
pany.
No single great material work which
remains to be undertaken on this con-
1inent is OF such consequence TO the
American people as the building of a
canal across the isthmus connecting
North and South America. Its impor-
tance to the nation is by no means linn
tied merely to its material effects upon
our business prosperity, and yet with 4
view to these effects alone ii would be
TO the last degree important for us i'm
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, 1t would
also greatly benefit other sections. 1t
is emphatically work which 1t Is for
the interest of the entire country to be-
gin and complete as soon as possible.
am glad to be able to announce to
you that our negotiations on this sub
ject with Great Britain, conducted on
both sides in spirit of friendliness and
mutual good will, have resulted in
my being able to lay before the SEN
ate treaty which, If ratified, will en-
able us to begin preparations for an
isthmian canal at any time and which
guarantees to this nation every right
that Il has ever asked in connection
with the canal. 1t specifically pro-
vides that the United States alone shall
do the work of building and assume
the responsibility of safeguarding the
canal and shall regulate its neutral use
by all nations on terms of equality
without the guarantee or interference
of any outside nation from any quarter.
The Monroe Doctrine.
The Monroe doctrine should be the
cardinal feature of the foreign policy
of all the nations Of the two Americas,
as 1t Is of the United States. The Mon
roe doctrine is declaration that there
must be no territorial aggrandizement
by any non-American power at the ex-
pense of any American power on Amer
lean soil. 1t Is in nowse intended as
hostile to any nation in the old world.
Still less Is 1t intended to give cover to
any aggression by one new world power
at the expense of any other. 1t is sim
ply step, and a long step, toward as
surfing the universal peace of the world
by securing the possibility of perma-
nent peace on this hemisphere.
, During the past century other influ.
ences have established the permanence
and independence of the smaller states
,, of Europe. Through the Monroe doc
trine we hope to be able to safeguard
like independence and secure like per
fo thn laSSar thn na
. world nations.
This doctrine has nothing to do will
the commercial relations of any Amer
lean power save that it in truth allows
each of them to form such as it 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 stat'
: against punishment II it misconduct
D itself, provided that punishment doe
not take the form of the acquisition o.
i territory by any nom American power
d Our attitude in cuba is a sulhcien
j. guarantee of our own good faith. W.
It have not the slightest desire to secure
y any territory at the expense Of any o
J. our neighbors.
u The Navy.
n The president devotes considerable
r space to the navy, the upbulding o
G which, he says, should be steadily con
e tinued. The navy offers us, 1t is declaI
ed, the only means of insisting on tn
( Monroe doctrine, and a strong navy
= the best guarantee against war. IL
{, recommends that provision be mad
r. not only for more ships, but for NOR
e men. Four thousand additional ses
n men and 1000 additional marine
1t should be provided, as well as an II
e crease in officers. After indorsing tn
l. naval militia forces the president says
1t But in addition we should at ono
1t provide for national naval reserve
lie organized and trained under the dire
% ton of the navy department and sui
y iect to the call of the chief executiv
)t whenever war becomes imminent.
to should be real auxiliary to the nav'
t. seagoing peace establishment and one
c. material to be drawn on at once Il
manning our ships in time of war.
The Army.
ie 1t is not necessary to increase oil
IL army beyond its present size at tn
u time but it is necessary to keep 1t
~ the highest point Of efficiency The Il
ie dlvidual units who as officers and e.
u listed men compose this army are, "
IA have good reason to believe, at least
W efficient as those of any other army
'e the entire world. 1t is our duty to 81
that their training is Of kind to 1
ie sure the highest possible expression
Ut power to these units when acting
combination.
81 A general staff should be create
e. Promotions should be made sole
u, with regard to the good of the servic
OIL Congress ought to provide, the pref
o. dent adds, for field exercises. He co
" tinues:
Oh Action should be taken in referen