The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-06-21

ana 10 fanama, the appointment OF tne
canal commission In accordance with law;
and Its Organization TO begin the work.
The action OF the United States at
every step has been In accordance with
the law OF nations, consistent with the
principles OF Justice and honor. IN dis
charge OF the trust 10 build the canal we
long since assumed. by denying the right
OF every other power TO build II. dictated
by high and unselfsh purpose, for the
common benefit OF mankind. That action
was wise consderate. prompt. vigorous
and effective; and now the greatest OF
constructive nations stands ready and
competent 10 begin and TO accomplish the
great enterprise which shall realize the
dreams OF past ages. bind together our
Atlantic and Pacific coasts. and open a
new highway for that commerce OF the
Orient whose course has controlled the
rise and fall OF civilizations.
AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.
Throughout the world the diplomacy OF
the present administration has made for
peace and justice among nations. Clear
sighted 10 perceive and prompt 10 main
tain American interests. II has been sa-
gacious and simple and direct In its meth
DDS, and considerate Of the rights and OF
the feelings OF others.
Within the month after the last ma
tional convention met. Secretary Hays
circular note OF July Sd, 1900. to the great
powers Of Europe had declared the policy
OF the United States Ito seek a solution
which may bring about permanent safety
and peace TO China. preserve China's ter
ritorial and admnistra tive entity. protect
all rights guaranteed 10 friendly powers
by treaty and international law. and
safeguard for the world the principle of
equal and impartial trade with all parts
OF the Chinese empire"
The express adherence OF the Powers of
Europe TO this declaration was secured.
The open recognition OF the rule OF right
conduct imposed its limitations upon the
conduct OF the Powers in the Orient 1t
was made the test OF defensible action.
Carefully guarded by the wise statesman
who had secured its acceptance. IL
brought a moral force OF recognized
value 10 protect peaceful and helpless
China from dismemberment and spoia-
ton. and 10 preserve the Open Door in
the Orient for the commerce of the world.
ALASKAN BOUNDARY
Upon our own continent a dispute with
Canada over the boundary of Alaska had
been growing more acute for 30 years. A
multitude Of miners swift TO defend their
own rights by force were locating mining
claims under the laws OF both countries
In the disputed territory. AT any moment
fatal ARRAY between Canadian and
American miners was liable to begin a
conflict In which all British Columbia
would be arrayed on one side and all our
Northwest upon the other. Agreement
was impossible. But the Alaskan Bound
ary treaty OF Jan. Path. 1903 provided a
tribunal for the decision OF the contro-
versy: and upon legal proofs and reasoned
has had
prejudice and passion, to judicial judg-
ment: and under the lead OF a great chief
justice of England. who held the sacred
obligations of his judicial office above all
other considerations, the dispute has been
settled forever and substantially in ac-
cordance with the American contention.
When in 1903 the failure OF Venezuela to
pany her just debts led England, Ger
many and Italy TO warlike measures for
the collection OF their claims. an appeal
by Venezuela TO our government resulted
m agreements upon arbitration in place
,f the war, and In a request that our pres
dent should act as arbitrator. Again he
promoted the authority and prestige OF
The Hague Tribunal. and was able to lead
all the powers TO submit the crucial ques-
lions in controversy 10 the determination
of that court. IL Is due greatly 10 sup
port by the American government that
this agency for peace has disappointed
he expectations OF its detractors, and
oy demonstrations of practical usefulness
has begun a career fraught with possibiu
les OF incalculable benefit to mankind
On the 1lth OF April. 1903. was pro-
claimed another convention between all |
he great powers agreeing upon more hu-
name rules for the conduct of war; and !
.hese In substance incorporated and gave |
he sanction OF the civilized world to the |
-ules drafted by Francis Leber and ap- |
proved by Abraham Lincoln for the CON |
luct OF the armies OF the United States
n the field.
MONROE DOCTRINE.
We have advanced the authority of the |
Monroe Doctrine. Our adherence to the |
convention which established The Hague |
Tribunal was accepted by the other pow |
RS. with a formal declaration that |
lothing therein contained should be con- |
trued TO imply the relauishment by the |
Inited States Of its tradional attitude |
oward purely American questions The |
rmed demonstration by the European
overs against Venezuela was made the
ccasion for disclaimers 10 the United |
tates OF any intention TO seize the terri
Dry OF Venezuela, recognizing In the most
nmistakable way the rights OF the
'nited States. expressed in the declara-
on OF that traditional policy
In the meantime, mindful that moral
overs unsupported by physical strength,
o not always avail against sefishness
nd aggression. we have been augment
g the forces which command respect.
We have brought our navy to a high
ate OF efficiency and have exercised
9TH army and navy in the methods of
'acoast defence.
MKINI.EY AND ROOSEVELT.
The first administration of Mckinley
ught and won the war with Spain, put
,wn the insurrection in the Philippines,
lnexed Hawaii, rescued the legations IN
ekin. brought Porto Rico into our com
ercial system. enacted a protective
riff, and established our national cur
ncy on the firm foundations OF the gold
andard by the financial legislation of
e seth congress.
The present administration has reduced
xation, reduced the public debt. reduced
e annual interest charge. made effective
'ogress in the regulation OF trusts. fos-
red business, promoted agriculture.
iilt up the navy. reorganized the army.
surrected the militia system, inaugura-
a a new policy for the preservation and 7
clamation OF public lands. given civil 4