River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-12-07

convention to send delegates to such a
conference and suggested that it be again
held at The Hague. In its note of De-
cember is, 1904 the United States govern
tives of foreign governments its belief
that the conference couli be best ar
ranged under the provisions of the pres
ent Hague treaty.
From all the powers acceptance was re-
ceived coupled in some cases with the
condition that we should wait until the
end of the war then waging between Rus
STA and Japan. The emperor of Russia,
Immediately after the treaty of peace
which so happily terminated this war,
in a note presented to the president on
September Is, through Ambassador Rosen,
took the initiative in recommending that
the conference be now called. The United
States government in response expressed
its cordial acquiescence and stated that
it would, as matter of course, take part
in the new conference and endeavor to
further its aims. We assume that all
civilized governments will support the
movement, and that the conference is
now an assured fact This government
will do everything in its power to secure
the success of the conference to the end
that substantial progress may be made
in the cause of international peace, Jus
tice and good will.
In the conclusion of this subject he
says:
I have dwelt much on the dangers
to be avoided by steering clear of any
mere foolish sentimentality because
my wish for peace is so genuine and
earnest; because I have a real and
great desire that this second Hague
conference may mark a long stride
forward in the direction of securing
the peace of justice throughout the
world. No object is better worthy the
a Of ier1t tot es1air
than the establishment of surer
method than now exists of securing
justice as between nations, both for
the protection of the little nations and
so the prevention of war between the
big nations. To this aim we should
endeavor not only to avert bloodshed,
but, above all, effectively to strengthen
the forces of right. The Golden Rule
should be, and 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
the police power. This mighty and
free republic should ever deal with
all other states, great or small, on
basis OF high honor, respecting their
rights as jealousy as it safeguards it's
own.
The Monroe Doctrine receives
lengthy consideration as does also the
appeal of Santo Domingo for assist
ance which the president believes it
is our duty to give.
In treating of the subject of the
army and navy the president favors
change in the method of promotion.
He would promote officers on merit
instead of by seniority, believing that
this method would be conducive to bet
ter efficiency than the one now in
a a
crease in the coast artillery; the gar
risoning of considerable bodies of
troops at one place, and for an in
crease and reorganization of the med
ica1 service in both the army and
navy.
Naturalization Laws.
Legislation in line with the recommends
tons of the naturalization commission ap-
pointed by the president last March is
asked for. These recommendations are
given as follows:
First A federal bureau of naturaliza-
ton, to be established in the department
of commerce and labor, to supervise the
administration of the naturalization laws
and to receive returns of naturaliZations
pending and accomplished
Second. Uniformity of naturalization
certificates, fees to be charged, and pro-
cedure.
Third. More exacting qualifications for
citizenship.
Fourth. The preliminary declaration of
intention to be abolished and no alien to
be naturalized until at least 80 days after
the filing of his petition.
Fifth. Jurisdiction to naturalize aliens
to be confined to United States district
courts and to such state courts as have
jurisdiction in civil actions in which the
amount in controversy is unlimited; in
cities of over 100000 inhabitants the
United States district courts to have ex-
elusive jurisdiction in the naturalization
of the alien residents of such cities.
Public Land Laws.
Recommendations for changes in the pub
lie land laws are made, and in this connec-
ton the president says:
The creation of small irrigated
powerful offset to the tendency of GER
tain other laws to foster or permit
monopoly of the land. Under that act
the construction of great irrigation
works has been proceeding rapidly and
successfully, the lands reclaimed are
eagerly taken up, and the prospect
that the policy of national irrigation
will accomplish all that was expected
of it is bright. The act should be ex-
tended to include the state of Texas.
The reclamation act derives much
of it's value from the fact that it tends
to secure the greatest possible num-
Der of homes on the land, and to Gre
ate communities of freeholders in part
by settlement on public land, in part
by forcing the subdivision of large
private holdings before they can get
water from government irrigation
works. The law requires that no right
to the use of water for land in private
ownership shall be sold for tract
exceeding 100 acres to any one land
IA
tive and powerful hostility, but the
success Of the law itself depends on
the wise and firm enforcement of it.
We cannot afford to substitute tenants
for freeholders on the public domain.
The greater part of the remaining
public lands cannot be irrigated. They
are at present and will probably al
than for any other purpose. This fact
has led to the grazing homestead of
$40 acres in Nebraska and to the pro-
posed extension of it to other states.
It is argued that a family cannot be
supported on $50 acres of arid grazing
land. This is obviously true; but
neither can a family be supported on
$40 acres of much of the land to which
it is proposed to apply the grazing
homestead. To establish universally
any such arbitrary limit would be un-
wise at the present time. 1t would
probably result on the one hand in
charging the holdings of some of the
great land owners, and on the other
in needless suffering and failure on
the part of a very considerable pro-
portion of the bona fide settlers who
give faith to the implied assurance OF
the government that such an area is
sufficient. The best use of the public
grazing lands requires the careful ex-
animation and classification of these
lands in order to give each settler