The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-04
ISthmian Canal.

ISthmian Canal.
 No single great material work which remains to be undertaken or this conti- nent is of such consequence to the Ameri- can people as the building of a canal across the isthmud connecting North and South America. Its importance to the nation Is by no means limited merely to it's material effects upon our business prosperity; and yet with view to these effects alone 1t would be to the last de- gree important for us immediately to be- gin it. While its beneficial effects would perhaps be most marked upon the Pacific Coast and the Gulf and South Atlantic States. it would also greatly benefit other sections. It is emphatically a work which 1t Is for the interest of the entire country to begin and complete as soon as possible; 1t Is one of those great works which only a 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 It's construc- tive ability.
 I am glad to be able to announce to you that our negotiations on this subject 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 will enable us to begin preparations for an Isthmian canal at any time, and which guarantees to this Nation every right that 1t has ever asked in connection with the canal. In this treaty, the old Clay ton Bulwer treaty. so long recognized as inadequate to supply the base for the con- struction and maintenance of a neces- sarily American ship canal. Is abrogated. It specifically provides that the United States alone shall do the work of build ing and assume the responsibility of safe guarding the canal and shall regulate its neutral use by all nations on terms of equality without the guaranty of interfer- ence of any outside nation from any quarter. The signed treaty will at once be laid before the Senate. and If approved the Congress can then proceed to give effect to the advantages 1t secures us by providing for the building of the canal.
 Foreign Affairs.
 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 fre- 
 barharious people come in an entirely different category, being merely a most regrettable but necessary international police duty which must be performed for 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 re- IA oh hf0 of Afh 1taA in the end, as we hope and believe, make worldwide peace. possible. The peace conference at The. Hague gave definite expression to this hope and belief and marked stride toward their attainment
 This same peace conference acquiesced in our statement of the Monroe doctrine as compatible with the purpose and aims of the conference.
 The Monroe Doctrine.
 The Monroe Doctrine should he the cardinal feature of the foreign policy of all the nations of the two Americas as it is of the United States. Just seventy eight years have passed since President Monroe in his annual message announc- ed that The American continents are henceforth not to be considered as sub jects for future colonization by any Euro pean power" In other words. the Monroe doctrine is declaration that there must be no territorial aggrandizement by any non-American power at the expense of any American power on American soil It is in no wise intended as hostile to any nation in the Old World. Still less it Is intended to give cover to any aggresson by enc New World power at the expense of any other. It Is simply a step, and a long step toward assuring the universal peace on this hemisphere
 During the past century other influences have established the permanence and in- dependence of the smaller states of Flu rope. Through the Monroe Doctrine we hope to be able to safeguard like inde- pendence and secure like permanence for the lesser among the New World nations
 This doctrine has nothing to do with the commercial relations of any American power save that 1t in truth allows each of them to form such as 1t desires. In other words. 1t is really a guaranty 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. pro- vided that punishment does not take the form of the acquisition of territory bv 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