Evening journal., 1901-12-03

uDDu lnt 1Nlllt EU0cl anu tue
gulf and South Atlantic states, It would
also greatly benont other sections. I'll
Is emphatcally a 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 n spirit Of friendliness and
mutual good will, have resulted in
my being able to lay before the SEN
ate n treaty which, If ratified. will en-
able us TO begin preparations for an
isthmlan canal at any time and which
guarantees TO this nation every right
that 1t has ever asked I'm connection
with the canal. 1t specifically pro-
yides 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 n 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 nowlse intended as
hostile to any nation in the old world.
Still less Is It 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
suring the universal peace Of the world
by securing the possibility of perma-
nent peace on this hemisphere.
During the past century other in6u-
ences have established the permanence
and independence of the smaller states
of Europe. Through the Monroe doc
trlne we hope to be 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
lean power save that It in truth allows
each Of them to form such as 1t desires.
In other words, 1t is really n 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 1t misconducss
itself, provided thaJ punishment does
not take the form Of the acquisition of
territory by any nOn-American power.
Our attitude I'm Cuba is a 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 devotes considerable
space to the navy, the upbuilding Of
which, no says, should be steadily con-
tinued. The navy offers us, it is declar-
ed, the only means Of insisting on the
Monroe doctrine, and n 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 n 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. II
/ -. L.. Ia, e,
seagoing peace establishment and Offer
, material to be drawn on at once fol
manning our ships in time of war.
The Army.
II IS not necessary to Increase oul
army beyond its present size at thii
e time, but 1t is necessary to keep it a
E the highest point of efficiency. The in
! dividual units who as officers and en-
/ listed men compose this army are, W.
q have good reason to believe, at least al
r efficient as those of any other army il
n the entire world. 1t Is our duty to Sc,
o that their training Is Of n kind to in
e sure the highest possible expression o
power to these units when acting il
e combination.
Promotions should be made solel.
s with regard to the good Of the service
= Congress ought to provide, the presl
!. dent adds, for field exercises. He con
f tinues:
, Action should be taken in referenc
r. to the militia and to the raising of vo
# unteer forces. Our militia law Is oil
r. solete and worthless. The organization
s. and armament of the national guard o
4. the several states, which are treate
Is as militia in the appropriations by tn
Is congress. should be made Identical wit
,e those provided for the regular forces
ie The obligations and duties Of the guar
n IN time Of war should be carefully d'
le fined and n system established by la'
le under which the method Of procedur
OF raising volunteer forces should
prescribed in advance.
lv The Merit system.
"A The president indorses the merit syl
"a TEN Of making appointments and say
n recommend the passage Of a La
81. a.. a. 4