The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-12-07

to the saving by curbing its own ex-
travagant practice.
Mr.. Roosevelt favors a law for the
purpose of putting an end to the cor
rupt use of the money in national
elections. He thinks publicity of all
the sums expended, with a clause
prohibiting 'all contribution by cor
porations to any political committee
or for any political purpose" would
be an effective method.
! The circumstances under which the
Peace Conference was called by the
President are detailed, as well as the
subsequent action of the Gar and
the Importance of another conference
is set forth. In an argument of
some length the President appears to
discover that those who favor uniyer-
sal peace as a direct object instead of
periodical conferences are an OBJ
structiOn TO the cause. This is
scarcely logical When an object is
to be gained, no matter how remote
or compromising the end may appear,
the wisest plan for those who are
anxious to achieve it is pursue it I'M
til obtained
The President discussed his inter
probation of the Monroe Doctrine at
considerable length, and as incident
thereto outlines his policy in Santo
Domingo. Possibly the best plan
will be to let the southern republics
attend to their own affairs, as has
been done hitherto. and interfere on
ly when they provoke the United
States by attacks on its dignity and
rights. The Monroe Doctrine is suf-
ticiently well known and understood
now to enforce itself There is not
nation on earth that would knowing
ly infringe it.
The President thinks the Army, for
its size, is fully equal to any other,
but it ought to be superior, and to
achieve this Congress should make
appropriation for the maneuvers of a
brigade, or even a larger body of men.
This is an excellent suggestion. Not
only should the men be accustomed
to move in the manner to which they
must accustOm themselves in time of
war, but the officers should be given
the chance to exercise the commands
which would deYOlve on them in war
times. The navy, the President
thinks, has reached point where it
is not necessary at present to increase
it. The object should be to maintain
and increase its efficiency and supply
the places of the ships that are worn
out.
The revision of the system of natur-
alizatiOn is recommended. The quail
ity rather than the number of immi-
grants should be the prime object of
the immigration laws. The President
rigidly opposes the immigration of
Chinese, but thinks the laws have
been enforced with great harshness,
and there should be notifications so
that the better class of Chinese may
ehjoy the'privileges extended TO other
foreigners without embarrassment and
insult.
The situation in the Philippines is
reviewed, and the recommendation is
made that the tariff on all articles, ex-
cept sugar and tobacco. be removed,
which should be reduced to % per
cent. of the rates under the Dingley
law, and that after July /, 1909, all
tariff rates be abolished. The Presi
dent is probably influenced in these
suggestions by what he imagines to be
the tone of Congress. There is no APP
parent reason why the tobacco and
sugar trusts should be given prefer
ence over all other interests in the
United States. The tariff is a deadly
obstruction to the prosperity and de-
velopment of the islands and it is of
no advantage to this country. 1t
should be abolished at once instead of
four years hence.
The message deals with multitude
of subjects, including criminal laws,
public land laws, Mississippi leyees,
merchant marine, jamestown Cen
tennial, pensions, copyright laws,
adulteration of foods, smoke law, life
saving service, Indians, insular affairs
and the Panama Canal, all of which
are of more or less interest and i'm
portance. With regard to the canal
the message is brief for the reason
that it will be speedily followed by
communication setting forth all the
facts in connection with that great
enterprise.