The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-21

charge of the trust to build the canal
we long since assumed. by denying the
right of every other power to
build it, dictated by high
common benefit of all mankind
That action was wise. consfderate.
prompt. vigorous and effective; and
now the greatest of constructive ma
| lions stands ready and competent to
begin and to accomplish the great en-
terprise which shall realize the dreams
of past ages, bind together our Atlantic
and Pacific coasts, and open new
highway for that commerce Of the
Orient whose course has controlled the
rise and fall of civilizations. Success in
that enterprise greatly concerns Ihe
credit and honor of the American peo-
pie, and it is for them to say whether
the building of the canal shall be IN
charge of the men who made its build
ing possible. or Of the weaklings whose
incredulOus objections would have post
poned it for another generation
American Diplomacy.
Throughout the world the diplomacy Of
the present administration has made
for peace and justice among nations
Clear-sighted to perceive and prompt
to maintain American interests, II haz
been sagacious and simple and direct
in it's methods. and constderate OF the
rights and of the feelings Of others.
Within the month after the last ma
tfonal convention met, Secretary Hay :
circular note of July ,. 1900 to the great
powers of Europe had declared the
policy of the United States
ITO seek a solution which may pElng
about permanent safety and peace V nj
ma, preserve China's territorial ana ao-
ministrative entity, protect AZ LlgnSs
guaranteed to friendly powers Dy tIeety
and international law, and sateSuard Tor
the world the principle OF equal and irl-
partial trade with all parts Oh the Sliiisss
empire"
The express adherence of the
powers Of Europe TO TINS oecIaFation
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. Care
fully guarded by the wise statesman.
who had secured its acceptance. It
brought a moral force Of recognized
value to protect peaceful and helpless
China from dismem berment and spo-
Iiatfou and to preserve the open door
in the Orient for the commerce Of the
world Under the influence of this
effective friendship, a new commercial
treaty with China, proclaimed on the
9Th of October last. has enlarged our
opportunities for trade. opened new
ports to our commerce, and abolished
internal duties on goods in transit
within the empire There were in
deed other nations which agreed with
this policy of American diplomacy,
but no other nation was free from
suspicion of selfish aims. None other
had won confidence in the sincerity of
its purpose. ana none other but
America could render the service
which we have rendered to humanity
in China during the past four years.
High evidence of that enviabI posi-
ton of our country is furnished bv
the fact that when all Europe was in
apprehension lest the field of war be-
tween Russia and Japan should SO
spread as to involve China's ruin and
a universal conflict it was to the
American government that the able
and far-sighted German emperor an
r'eal led to take the lead again in bring
Ing about an agreement for the Urni-
tation of the field of action. and the
preservation Of the administrative
entity of China outside of Manchuria-
and that was accomplished
Upon our own continent a dfsn11fa
with Canada over the boundary OF
Alaska had been growing more acute
Continued on Page Nine.5