Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-12-14


In treating OF foreign policy and OF
the attitude that this great nation
should assume in the world at large
ii is absolutely necessary to consider
the army and the navy. and the con.
gress, through which the thought OF
the nation finds its expression, should
keep ever wildly In mind the funda.
mental fact that IL is impossible 10
treat u foreign policy, whether this
policy takes shape in the effort to
secure justice for others or justice
for ourselves, save as conditioned up
on the attitude we are willing to take
toward our army, and especially to.
ward our navy. IL is not merely UNI
wise. 1t is contemplate, for a ma
ton. as for an individual. to use high
sounding language to proclaim its pur.
poses, or to take positions which are
ridiculous II unsupported by potential
force. and then to refuse to provide
this force. II there is no intention
OF providing and keeping the force
necessary to back up a strong atti-
tude, then II is far better not to as
sumo such an attitude. The steady
aim OF this nation, as OF all enlight-
ened nations, should be to strive to
bring ever nearer the day when there
shall prevail throughout the world the
peace Of justice.
Arbitration Treaties.
We are In every way e%ndeavoring
to help on, with cordial good will,
every movement which will tend to
bring rs into more friendly relations
with the rest of mankind. In pursu-
ance of this policy | shall shortly lay
before the senate treaties of arbitra-
ton with all powers which are will
ing to enter into these treaties with
us. It is not possible at this period
OF the worlds development to agree
to arbitrate all matters Of possible diff
ference between us and other nations
which can be thus arbitrated. Furth.
ermore, at the request Of the Interpar.
liamentary union, an eminent body
composed of practical statesmen from
all countries, I have asked the pow
ers to join with this government in
a second Hague conference, at which
1t 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 the
Western Hemisphere.
II Is not true that the United States
feels any land hunger or entertains
any projects as regards the other ma
tons of the Western Hemisphere
save such as are for their welfare.
All that this country desires Is to see
the neighboring countries stable, or
derby and prosperous. Any country
whose people conduct themselves we'll
can count upon our hearty friendship.
II a nation shows that 1t knows how
to act with reasonable efficiency and
decency in social and political mat.
tiers, II 1t keeps order and pays Its
obligations, 1t need fear no interior
encel from the United States. Chron.
&C wrong-doing or IN impotence which
results in a general loosening Of the
ties of civilized society. may In Amer
lea, as elsewhere. ultimately require
Intervention by some civilized nation,
and In the Western Hemisphere the
adherence of the United States to the
Monroe doctrine may force the Unit
ed States, however reluctantly, In flag
rant cases of such wrong doing or i'm
potence, to the exercise OF a inter
national police power. II every coun
try washed by the Caribbean sea
would show the progress In stable
Aal I,ct ,txyf1tyotton uyhirh NTH tha
aid of the Plat amendment Cuba has
shown since our troops left the is
land. and which SO many OF the re
publics in both Americas are constant
ly and brilliantly showing. all Ques
ton Of interference by this nation
with their affairs would be at an end
Our interests and those Of our south
ern neighbors are In reality Identical
Rights Of American Citizens Abroad
Even where 1t is not possible to Sc
cure In other nations the observance
OF the principles which we accept al
automatic. 1t is necessary for US firm
ly to insist upon the rights of oul
own citizens without regard to theil
creed or race; without regard tc
whether they were born here or borr
abroad. 1t has proved very difficult
to secure from Russia the right FOL
our Jewish fellow-citizens to receive
passports and travel through Russian
territory. Such conduct Is not onl,
unjust and irritating toward us, bui
1t Is difficult to see its wisdom from
Russia's standpoint. NO conceivable
good Is accomplished by 1t. II ar
American Jew or an American Chris
tan ~misDehaves himself in Russia HI
can at once be driven out; but the or
binary American Jew, like the ordi
nary American Christian. would be
have just about as he behaves here
that is, behave as any good either
ought to behave; and where this II
the case 1t is a wrong against which
we are entitled TO protest to refuse
him his passport without regard I,
his conduct and character, merely OF
racial and religious grounds. In Tur
key our difficulties arise less from tn,
way in which our citizens are some
times treated than from the indigna
ton inevitably excited In seeing sucf
fearful misrule as has been witnesse,
both in Armenia and Macedonia.
The Navy.
The strong arm of the government
In enforcing respect for its just right
in international matters is the nav.
OF the United States. l most earnest
ly recommend that there be no hal
In the work Of upbuilding the Ameri
can navy. There is no more patriot
ic duty before US as a people thar
to keep the navy adequate TO tn
needs of this country's position. W.
, have undertaken to build the isthmial
!, canal. We have undertaken to sc
!, cure for ourselves our just share II
, the trade of the orient. We have un
dertaken to protect u citizens iron
: improper treatment In foreign lands
: We continue steadily to insist on tn
application Of the Monroe doctrin
to the Western Hemisphere. Unles
. our attitude in these and all simila