The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-12-06


tons which can be thus arbitrated.
Furthermore, at the request of the in
terparliamentary union, an eminent
body composed of practical statesmen
from all countries, | have asked the
powers to Join with this government
in second Hague conference, at which
it is hoped that the work already so
happily begun at The Hague may be
carried some steps further toward
completion. This carries out the de-
sire expressed by the first Hague con-
ference itself,
POLICY TOWARD OTHER NATIONS
OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
1t is not true that the United States
feels any land hunger or entertains
any projects as regards the other ma
tions of the western hemisphere save
such as are for their welfare. All that
this country desires is TO see the neigh
boring countries stable, orderly and
prosperous. Any country whose people
conduct themselves well can count upon
our hearty friendship If IA nation
shows that it knows how to act with
reasonable efficiency and decency in so
cial and political matters. if it keeps
order and pays its obligations, it need
fear no interference from the United
States. Chronic wrOngdoing or an I'M
potence which results in Il general loOs-
uning of the ties of civilized society
la, ntiEs al hnF
mately require intervention 10y some
civilized nation. and in the western
hemisphere the adherence of the Unit
pd states To the Monroe doctrine may
force the United States. however re
mctantly, in fragrant cases of such
wrougdoing or impotence. 10 the eNer-
else of an international police power,
RIGHTS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS
ABROAD.
1t is necessary forus firmly toinSiSt up
ON the rights Of our own citizens abroad
W hout regard to their creed or race;
without regard to whether they were
born here or born abroad. 1t mas
proved very difficult TO secure from
Russia the right for our Jewish fellow
citizen To receive passports and travel
through Russian territory. 1t is
wrong against which we are entitled to
protest TO refuse him his passport
without regard to his conduct and char
aCter, merely on racial and religious
grounds.
THE NAVY.
The strong arm of the government
in enforcing respect for its just rights
in international matters is the navy of
the United States. | most earnestly
work of upbuilding the American navy.
We have undertaken to build the 18TH
milan canal. We have undertaken to
secure for ourselves our just share in
the trade of the orient. We have I'M
dertaken to protect our citizens from
improper treatment in foreign lands.
We continue steadily to insist on the
application of the Monroe doctrine to
the western hemisphere Unless our
attitude in these and all similar mat
cannot afford to abandon our naval
programme. our voice is now potent
for peace and is so potent because we
are not afraid of war. But our prot
eStatonS upon behalf of peace would
neither receive nor deserve the slight
est attention if we were impotent to
make them good,
THE ARMY.
Within the last three years the Unit
ed States has set an example in dis
armament where disarmament was
proper. by law our army is fixed mt
a maximum of 100000 and a minimum
IF $1,000 men. When there was iu>ur-
reclion in the Philippines we kept the
army at the maximum, Peace came in
the Philippines, ana now our army
has been reduced TO the minimum mt
which it is possible TO keep it with dine
regard To its efficiency. We should he
able, IN the event of some sudden
to put into the field one
first class army corps. which should be.
rs p whole mt least the equal of any
body of troops of.likc number belong
Ing to any other nation.
Great progress has been made in pro,
tocting our COASTS hy adequate fortfi-
cations with sufficient guns. We
should, however. pay much more heed
than at present to the development of
nm extensive system Of floating mines
c,r 49,, I'm ,II ,,,, MON, ;p,,.,r,,,t Inv