The Forrest City times., 1906-09-07
W. J. BRYAN'S MADISON
 SQUARE GARDEN SPEECH

Like all travellers who have visited other lands, return with delight to the Ia nd ot my birth, more proud of its people Wlth more confidence in it's Covernu . nf ana ana grateful 10 the kind Providence that cast my lot i'll the United States My national pride has been increased beca ss :. or ahundant evidence l have seen of the shLtruIstc sh interest taken by Americans in the people of other countries No other hdIon can show such a record of benevo- iehee and distnterested friendship. My love Tor our form of government has been oalckened as l have visited castles and towers, and peered into dark dungeons. ana am glad that our nation, prof ling by the experience of the past and yet uuhampered by traditions. and unfettered new center of civilization on new soil. and erect here government of the Ieople by the people. and also for the people. also return more deeply impressed than ever before with the responsibility which rests upon our nation as an eN- sesmplar among the nations and more so- hcltous that we, avoiding the causes which have led other nations to decay may present higher ideal than has ever before been embodied in national life and carry human progress to a shigner plane than 1t has before reached
 desire. moreover. to acknowledge in- debtedness to the American officials who have everywhere shown us all possible courtesy and kindness.
 do not know that I can do better to show my appreciation of the welcome ac- corded me by my countrymen. than to submit some suggestions dra VII from Ob- serFatlons during the past year. X Japan ese educator. addressing me through an interpreter. said: "I wish you would find the worst thing in Japan and tell us about It SO that we may correct it' l com mended the generous spirit which he m n Tested, and assured him that | had never blemishes. but rather that I might find the best things in Japan, and take them home for the benefit O. my own people. Each nation can give lessons to every other. and while our nation is in a posi- tioa to make the largest contribution. as l believe, to the education Of the world 1t ought to remain in the attitude of pupil. and be ever ready to profit by the ex- perience of others
 Message From the Old World.
 The first message that I bring from the cause of arbitration is making real prog ress in spite of the fact that the nations most prominent In the establishment of The Hague tribunal have themselves been engaged in war since that court was or ganized. There is a pereeptible growth in sentiment in favor of the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means. It was my good fortune to be present at the last session of the interparliamentary union which convened in Loodon on the 2Sd Of July. Twenty six natisns were rep ing nations f the world. This peace con gress as it is generally known not only adopted resolutions In favor of the limita- ton Of aImdments. and the arbitration of all quest ns relating to debts. but mani mously iudorsed the proposition that all questions of every nature should be sub mitted to an impartial tribunal for inves- tigation, or to the mediation of friendly nations before hostiities are commenced It is not necessary to point out the i'm Portance Of the position taken. The em, bodiment of the suggestion in treaties would go long way toward removing the probability of war. While the idea is of American origin, it was heartily accepted by the representatives of England France. Germany and other European countries. l believe that if our nation would propose to make with every nation treaty providing that all questions in dispute between the parties should be submitted to The Hague court or to some other impartial international tribunal for investigation and report before any deca- tilty, it would find many nations willing to enter into such a compact. I am sure from the pubic utlerances Of the present prime minister of Great Britain, Sir Hen ry Campbell Zimmerman, that such treaty could be made between the two great English speaking nations and their example would be followed until the dan ger of war would be almost. if not en- tirely removed To take the lead in such movement would establish our position as a world power in the best sense of the term. And what argument can te ad- vanced against such action on the part of the United States? Shall We yield to any btIeI AdliDn Ill lDt estimate 10 De placed upon the value of human life? Surely the Creator did not so plan the universe as to make the progress of the race dependent upon wholesale blood let ting. I prefer to believe that war. instea0 of being an agency for good, is rather an evidence of mans surrender to his pas sions. and that one of the tests of civiliza- tion and mans willingness to submit his controversies to the arbitrament of req son rather than of force.
 The Navy as a Collector.
 Another subject connected with our for eign relations l venture to suggest that we may not only promote peace, but also advance our commercial interests. by an nouncine as national policy that our navy will not be used for the collection of private debts. While protecting the lives of our citizens everywhere. and guaran- teeing the personal safety of all who owe allegiance to our flag, We should, in my Judgment announce that persons engag- Ing in business and holding property in other lands for business purposes must be subject to the laws of the countries in which they engage In business enter prises. Many profitable fields of invest ment are now closed because the people of the smaller nations are afraid that an investment of foreign capital VII De mace an excuse for foreign invasion. Several times on this trip this fact has been brought to my attention, and am con vinced that for every dollar that we could secure to American investors by an at tempt to put the government back or thelr private claims. we would lose many dol lars by closing the door to investment, Mark the distinction between the protec- tion of the lives of our citizens and the use of the navy to guarantee profit on Investments We do not imprison for debt in the United States. neither do We nut men to death because of the failure to pay what they owe. and our moral pres tige as well our commercial interests will be conserved by assuring all nations that American investments depend for protection on the laws of the country 10 which the investors go.
 Our Experiment In Colonlaiism.
 Before leaving international politics. let me add that our nation has lost prestige. rather than gained it. by our experiment in colonialism. We have given the mon erehist a chance to ridicule our declara : tion of iudependence, anu tne scoffer has twitted us with the inconsistency. tour through the Philippine islands has, deep encd the conN iCtion that we should lose no time in announcing our purpose to deal with the Filipinos as we deal with the Cubans Every consideration, commercial and political leads to this conclusion. Si,ch ground as we may need for coaling stations or for naval base will be gladly conceded by the Filpinos. who simply de- sire an opportunity to work out their own destiny. inspired by our example and aided by our advice In so far as our efforts have been directed toward the edncation of the Filipinos, we have ren- aare5 them a distinct service but in edu atiny them we must recognize thai We are making colonialism impossible. If We fntauasd lD bod them as subjects We