The St. Louis Republic., 1902-10-17
Plea Is Made by Cabinet Member
in Political Speech AT
East st. Louis.
TO ENFORCE MONROE DOCTRINE
Preservation of Peace Can Best
BE Secured by Building More
Battleships Like the Hi
nOis, He Says.

W II Moody. Secretary Of the United
States Navy. last night made a plea FOR a
larger navy. not for war. he explained. but
because there WAS no more certain way TO
preserve peace than to be ready for war.
The meeting was held IN the auditorium
Of the East ST Louis City Han. and the
spacious haIl was flled with auditors.
many Of whom were ladies. At the concIu-
sion OF Mr Moody's address a talk was
made by Governor Richard Yates OF Hi
nois. who spoke OF the strength and Re-
sources Of the State and touched upon the
question OF convict labor.
Secretary Moody was introduced by
former Congress man William \. Rod uberg
OF East 81. Louis. who was chairman of the
meeting. Propinent Republicans OF East
ST Louis occupied chairs on the platform
AIr. Moody opened his talk By reviewing
the conditions and the causes which led up
10 the var with-Spain. he told OF the n ro-
ism of the soldiers and sailors in the war
and OF the prosperous condition Of the
Islands at THE present time
PHILIPPINE BILL EXEMPLARY LAW.
With reference to the laws which had
been made FOR the Philippine Islanis. Mr..
Moody said that not "a better corporation
law existed IN any one of the states than ia
the Philippine bill He said that as Yet the
Fiupinos had not been given complete in
dependence. but that they would De- given
a. wide a form OF government a. they are
capable OF approaching. as soon as they
show the United states that they arc able
10 govern themselves. and that this viii
probably be done as soon a. the census Of
the islands Is taken.
Nr. Moody defended the soldiers In the
Philippines from the stories OF the cruelties
which they were alleged % have practIced
on their enemies. AIR. Moody said that
while it was true tina; there we're isolated
cases Of cruelty. and that ne aid not Justify
them. he had no patience with men who are
happiest when they are telling and eOagrer-
Gting these exceptional stories about the
soldiers
Dropping the subject of war. Mr.. Moody
spoke OF the present Philippine policy. He
said that the Government had 10 deal now
with the duties % the present. and that the
future would take care Of itself. The coun-
try's duty was 20 train the Inhabitants OF
the Philippine Islands TO govern and edu-
cate themselves Whether in the end the
Philippines will remain the property Of this
country or be independent Is problem OF
the future.
NAVY AND ITS NEEDS
Speaking OF the navy and its needs air.
Moody said that the batileshIp Illinois was
the greatest fighting ship in the navy. and
that he wanted the support OF the people OF
the country for the enlargement OF the
navy with ships that can nsht OF the class
OF the Illinois
Mr.. Moody said that he wanted a strong
Navy 20 make the Monroe Doctrine strict
y observed BY the nations Of the world
He said that he had very recently consri-
tuted squadron. which has been sent to
the Caribbean Sea-not 70 so in quest Of
land. but to prevent any other nation from
touching a square inch OF this land.
We want no war said Mr.. Moody In
conclusion. We want peace. but there Is
no more certain way TO obtain peace than
TO be ready instantly for war