Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-12-06

ing out that since the end of the inSnr-
rection in the Philippines this Nation
has shown its practical faith in the
policy of disarmament by reducing its
little army one-third. But disarma-
ment can never be of prime import
ance; there is more need to get rid of
ments of war.
I have dwelt much on the dangers to
be avoided by steering clear of any
mere foolish sentimentality because nv
wish for peace is so genuine and ear
nest: because 1 have a real and great
desire that this second Hague confer
ence may mark n long stride forward
in the direction of securing the peace of
justice throughout the world. No OBJ
ject is better worthy the attention of
enlightened craftsmanship than the es-
tablishment of surer method than
now exists of securing justice as be-
tween ma tions, both for the protection
of the little nations and for the preyen-
tiOn of war between the big nations.
To this aim we should endeayor not
only to avert bloodshed. but, above all.
effectively to strengthen the forces of
as the world grows in morality IT will
be. the guiding rule of conduct among
nations as among individuals: though
the Golden Rule must not be construed,
in fantastic manner, as forbidding the
exercise of police power. This mighty
and free Republic should ever deal with
all other states, great or small, on a
basis of high honor, respecting their
rights as jealousy as it safeguards its
own.
MONROE DOCTRINE.
One of the most effective Instruments
for peace is the Monroe Doctrine as 1t
has been and is being gradually de-
velOped by this Nation and accepted by
other nations. No other policy could
have been as efficient in promoting
peace in the Western Hemisphere and
il giving to each nation thereon the
chance to develop along it's own lines.
If we had refused to apply the Doctrine
to changing conditions it would now be
completely outworn. would not meet
any of the needs of the present day.
and inoeed would probably by this time
have sunk into complete oblivion. 1t is
useful at home, and is meeting with
recognition abroad because we have
adapted our application of it to meet
the growing and changing needs
of the Hemisphere. When we an
nounce a policy, such as the Mon
roe Doctrine, we thereby commit our
selves to the consequences of the policy.
and those consequences from time to
time alter 1t is out of the question to
claim right and yet shirk the re-
sponsibility for its exercise. Not only
we, but all American Republics who
are benefited by the existence of the
Doctrine, must recognize the obliga-
foreign peoples no less than it's duty to
insist upon its own rights.
That our rights and interests are
deeply concerned i'm the maintenance of
the doctrine is so, clear as hardly to
need argument. This is especially true
in view of the construction of the
Panama Canal. AS a mere matter of
self-defense we must exercise a close
watch over the approaches to this
canal; and this means that we must be
thoroughly alive to our interests I'm the
Caribbean Sea. "
There are certain essential points
which must never be forgotten as re-
CARDS the Monroe Doctrine. In the
first place we must as nation make 1t
evident that we do not intend to treat
it in any shape or way as an excuse for
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT on our part at the ex-
pense of the republics to the south.
We must recognize the fact that in
some South American countries there
has been much suspicion lest we
should interpret the Monroe Doctrine
as in some way inimical to their inter-
ests, and we must try to convince all
the other nations of this continent once
and for all that no just and orderly
government has anything to fear from
us. There are certain republics to the
south of us which have already reached
such a point of stability, order, and
prosperity that they themselves,
though as yet hardly consciously, are
among the guarantors of this doctrine.
These republics we now meet not only
OH a basis of entire equality, but in a
spirit Of frank and respectful friend
ship, which we hope is mutual. If all
of the republics to the south of us will
only grow as those to which 1 allude
have already grown, all need for us to
be the especial champions of the doc
trine will disappear, for no stable and
growing American republic wishes to
see some great non-American military
power acquire territory IN its neighbor-
hood. All that this country desires is
that the other republics on this conti-
nent shall be happy and prosperous;
and they cannot be happy and pros
porous unless they maintain order
within their boundaries and behave
with just regard for their obligations
toward outsiders. 1t must be under
stood that under no circumstances will
the United States use the Monroe Doc
trine rs a cloak for territorial aggres-
sion. We desire peace with all the
world. but perhaps most of all with
the other peoples of the American con-
tinent. There are of course limits to
the wrongs which any self-respecting
nation can endure. 1t is always pos
slide that wrong actions towards this
nation. or toward citizens of this ma
tion. in some state unable to keep or
der among it's own people unable to
secure justice from outsiders, and I'M
willing to do justice to those outsiders