The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-21

dispense bic to have an efficient navy
(and I am happy to say that we are
well on our way toward having one),
and also to possess, as we already pos
sess, certain strategic points to control
the approach to the canal In addition
it is urgently necessary that the insuiar
and continental countries within or Dor
dering upon the Caribbean sea should
be able to secure fair dealing and order
ly liberty within their own borders.
need not say that the United States not
only has no purpose of aggression upon
any republic, continental or insular. to
the south of US, but has the friendliest
feeling toward thems and desires moth
ing save their progress and prosperity.
We do not wish another foot Of terri
tory; and 7 think our conduct toward
Cuba is a guaranty that this is our
genuine attitude toward all our sister
republics. If ever we should have to
interfere IN the affairs of any of our
neighhors it would only be when we
found it impossible longer to refrain
from doing SO without serious damage
following; and even in such case it
would only be with the sincere and
effective purpose to make our interfer-
enee beneficial to the peoples concerned.
OF course, occupying the position we do,
occasions may now and then arise when
we can not refrain from such Interfer-
ence save under penalty of seeing some
other strong nation undertake the duty
would be fortunate from more than one
standpoint Wherever possible we
should gladly give any aid we can to
weaker sister republic which is endeav-
oring to achieve stability and prosperity.
It is an ungenerouS thing for US to re-
fuse such aid; and it IS foolish not to
give it in a way that will make it really
effective and therefore of direct benefit
to the people concerned-and of indirect
benefit to US, simply because it is a
only in the last resort, 1t may occasion
ally be necessary to interfere by exer-
cising what is virtually an international
police power if only to avoid seeing
some European power forced to exercise
it. In short. while we must interfere
always cautiously. and never wantonly;
yet. on rare occasions, where the need is
great it may be necessary to interfere,
unless we are willing to confess our
selves too feeble for the task we have
undertaken, and to avOW that we are
willing to surrender it into stronger
hands; and such confession and avowal
know nv countryrnen too well to be-
lieve that they will ever malSe'
AlligatOrs for Decorations.
After the president concluded he
was driven to the Jacksonville board
of trade auditorium, of which organi-
zation he now became the guest
President Gardner of the board Of
trade then took the distinguished Wis
itors in charge. The presidents en-
trance into the auditorium was the
signal for the most enthusiastic out
burst the president had yet received.
The interior of the large auditorium
was decorated in a typical Florida
manner with flowers, national coIors.
oranges, and alIigators. Luncheon was
then served, and after the speech
making the president win drive over
the city, calling at the colored Bap-
f7e,47, -E7s1
ten-minute speech to thousands of
negroes
At 4s45 he viii take the train for
st. Augustine.