davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Harvest Sugar Crop

The insurgent chiefs Immediately
agreed that their troops should lay
down their arms and disband; and the
agreement was carried out. The pro-
visional government has left the per
sonnet of the old government and the
old laws, so far as might be, IN
changed, and will thus administer the
island for a few months until tran
ouillity can be restored, new cleo
ton properly held, and a new gov
eminent inaugurated. Peace has come
in the island; and the harvesting OF
the sugar cane crop, the great crop
Of the island. is about TO proceed.
When the election has been held and
the new government inaugurated IN
peaceful and orderly fashion the pro-
visional government viii come 10 an
end. I take this opportunity Of ex-
pressing on behalf of the American
people, with all possible solemnity, our
most earnest hope that the people or
Cuba viii realize the imperative need
Of preserving justice and keeping or
der in the island. The United States
wishes nothing of Cuba except that It
shall prosper morally and materially
and wishes nothing Of the Cubans save
that they shall preserve order among
themselves and therefore preserve
their independence. If the elections be-
come a farce, and il the Instruction
airy habit becomes cOnnrmed IN the
island it is absolutely out Of the ques-
ton that the island should continue in
dependent; and the United States, which
has assumed the sponsorship before
the civilized world for Cuba's career
as 2 nation, would again have to in
tervene and to see that the govern
ment was managed in such orderly
fashion as to secure the safety of life
and property. The path to be trod-
den by those who exercise self-gov-
eminent is always hard, and we should
have every charity and patience with
the Cubans as they tread this difficult
path. I have the utmost sympathy
with, and regard for, them; but I most
earnestly adjure them solemnly to
weigh their responsibilities and to see
that when their new government is
started ii shall run smoothly. and with
freedom from fragrant denial of right
on the one hand. and from insurrec-
tionary disturbances on the other.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Replace Old Ships

l do not ask that we continue to in
! crease our navy; 1 ask merely that it
be maintained at it's present strength:
and this can be done only if we replace
the obsolete and outworn ships by new
and good ones. the equals of any aioat
In any navy. To stop building ships for
one year means that for that year the
navy goes back instead of forward
The old battleship Texas, for instance
would now be of little service in a
stand-up fight with a powerful adver-
sary. The old double-turret monitors
have outworn their usefulness. while
1t was waste of money to build the
single-turret monitors. All these ships
should be replaced by others, and this
can be done by WELL settled program
of providing for the building each year
OF at least one first-class battlesh 10
equal in size and speed to any that any
ration is at the same time building,
the armament presumably to consist of
as large number as possible of very
heavy guns of one caliber. together
with smaller guns TO repel torpedo at
tack, while there should be heavy
armor. turbine engines and. in short,
every modern device. OF course, from
time to time cruisers. GOLFERS. torpedo
boat destroyers or torpedo-boats will
have to be built also. All this. be it
remembered, would not increase our
present strength. Equally, of course.
the ships will be absolutely useless if
the men aboard them are not so trained
that they can get the best possible SER
vice out of the formidable but delicate
and complicated mechanisms intrusted
to their care. The craftsmanship of
our men has so improved during the
last five years that 1 deem ii within
bounds to say that the navy is more
than twice as efficient, ship for ship as
half a decade ago. The navy can only
attain proper efficiency if enough Of
ficers and men are provided, and If
these officers and men are given the
chance (and required to take advantage
of IT'D to stay continually at sea and to
exercise the fleets singly and. above all.
in squadron, the exercise to be of every
kind and to include unceasing practice
at the guns, conducted under conditions
that will test Workmanship in time of
war.
In both the army and the navy there
Is urgent need that everything possible
should be done to maintain the highest
standard for the personnel. alike as re-
CARDS the officers and the enlisted men.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Root Dispels Fears

In many parts of South America there
has been much misunderstanding of the
attitude and purposes of the United
States toward the other American re-
publics. An idea had become prevalent
that our assertion of the Monroe doc
trine implied or carried with it an as
sumption of superiority and of a right
to exercise some kind of protectorate
over the countries to whose territory
that doctrine applies. Nothing could
be further from the truth. Yet that
impression continued to be serious
barrier to good understanding, TO
friendly intercourse, to the introduce
ton of American capital and the extern
sion of American trade. The impress
sion was so widespread that apparently
it could not be reached by any Or
binary means.
It was part of Secretary Roots mis-
sion to dispel this unfounded impress
sion, and there is just cause to believe
that he has succeeded. In an address
10 the third conference at Rio on the
S1st of July-an address of such note
that I send it in, together with this
message-he said:
I'VE wish for no victories but those
of peace; for no territory except our
own: for no sovereignty except the
sovereignty over ourselves. We deem
the independence and equal rights of
the smallest and weakest member of
the family OF nations entitled to as
much respect as those of the greatest
empire, and we deem the observance of
that respect the chief guaranty of the
weak against the oppression of the
strong. We neither claim nor desire
any rights or privileges or powers that
we do not freely concede to every
American republic. We wish to in
crease our prosperity, to extend our
trade, to grow in wealth, in wisdom
and in spirit, but our conception of the
true way to accomplish this is not to
pull down others and profit by their
ruin, but TO help all friends to COM
mon prosperity and a common growth,
that we may all become greater and
stronger together. Within few
months for the first time the recognized
possessors of every foot of soil upon
the American continents can be, and L
hope will be, represented with the ac-
knowledged rights of equal sovereign
states in the great world congress at
The Hague. This will be the worlds
formal ard final acceptance of the
declaration that no part of the Ameri-
can continents is to be deemed subject
to colonization.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Arrangements for
Peace Conference

In my last message / advised you
that the Emperor of Russia had taken
the initiative in bringing about a sec
ond peace conference at The Hague
Under the guidance of Russia the ar
rangement of the preliminaries for such
conference has been progressing dur
ing the past year. Progress has neces-
sarily been slow, owing to the great
number of countries to be consulted
upon every question that has arisen. 1t
is a matter of satisfaction that all OF
the American republics have now, for
the first time, been invited to join In
the proposed conference. ar ~
The close connection between the
subjects to be taken up by the Red
Cross conference, held at Geneva last
summer, and the subjects which natur-
ally would come before The Hague con-
ference made 1t apparent that it, was
desirable to have the work of the Red
Cross conference completed and fcon-
sidered by the different powers before
the meeting at The Hague. The Red
Cross conference ended its labors on
the 9Th day of July, and the revised
and amended convention, which was
signed by the American delegates. will
be promptly laid before the Senate.
BY the special and highly appreciated
courtesy of the governments Of Russia
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Weed Out Inefficient

If on these practise marches and IN
these maneuvers elderly officers prove
unable to bear the strain, they should
be retired at once. for the fact is con-
elusive as TO their unfthess for war;
that is, for the only purpose because
of which they should be allowed to
stay in the service. 1t is a real mis-
fortune to have scores of small com
pany or regimental posts scatteE.t
thruOut the country; the army shOHd
be gathered in a few brigade or Idf-
vision posts, and the generals should
be practised in handling the men in
masses. Neglect to provide for all OF
this means to incur the risk OF future
disaster and disgrace.
The readiness and efficiency Of both
the army and navy in dealing with
the recent sudden crisis in Cuba illus
trate afresh their value to the na-
ton. This readiness and efficiency
would have been very much less had
it not been for the existence of the
general staff of the army and the gen.
eral board in the navys both are es-
sential to the proper. development and
use of our military forces afloat and
ashore The troops that were sent
to Cuba were handled fawlessly. 1t
was the swiftest mobilization and dis
patch Of troops over sea ever sccom-
plished by our Government The ex-
and ready for immediate service. sew
era1 OF its organizations hardly re-
naming in Havana over night before
splitting up .detaehments and go
ing to their several posts. 1t was q
fine demonstration of the value and
efficiency of the general staff. Sim
ilarly, it was owing in large part to
the general board that the navy was
able at the outset to meet the Cuban
crisis with such instant efficiency; ship
after ship appearing on the shortest
notice at any threatened point, while
the marine corps in particular per
formed indispensable service. The -S-fy
liable value to the two services aid
they cooperate with constantly in
creasing efficiency and Importance.
The Congress has most wisely pro-
vided for a national board for the pro-
motion OF rifle practise. Excellent re-
suits have already come from this law.
but it does not go far enough Our
regular army is so small that in any
great war we should have to trust
mainly to volunteers; and in such
event these volunteers should already
know how to shoot; for if a soldier has
the fighting edge and ability Co take
care of himself in the open his eff
cheney on the line of battle is almost
directly proportionate to excellence in
craftsmanship. We should establish
shooting galleries in all the large pub
lie and military schools. should main
tain national target ranges in different
parts OF the country. and should In
every way encourage the formation OF
rifle clubs thruout all parts of the
land The little Republic OF Switzer-
land offers us an excellent example IN
all matters connected with building UP
an efficient citizen soldiery.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House,
December 8, 1906.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Interests Are Common

Quite apart from the specific value
Of the conclusions reached by the con-
ference, the example Of the represent
atives of all the American nations en-
gaging In harmonious and Kindly con-
sideration and discussion of subjects
of common interest is itself of great
and substantial value for the promo
ton Of reasonable and considerable
treatment Of all international ques-
lions. The thanks of this country
are due to the Government of Bra
I'll and to the people of Rio de Janeiro
for the generous hospitality with
which our delegates, in common with
the others, were received, entertained
and facilitated in their work
Incidentally to the meeting of the
conference, the Secretary OF State
visited the city of Rio de Janeiro and
was cordially received by the confer
ence, OF which he was made an hon.
orary president The announcement of
his intention to make this visit was
followed by the most courteous and
urgent Invitations from nearly all the
countries of South America to visit
them as the guest of their Govern
ments 1t was deemed that by the
acceptance Of these invitations we
might appropriately express the real
respect and friendship in which we
hold our sister republics of the south
cordingly, visited Brazil, Uruguay, Ar
gentina, Chile, Peru, Panama and Co.
lombia- He refrained from visiting
Paraguay. Bolivia and Ecuador only
because the distance of their capitals
from the seaboard made IT impracti-
cable with the time at his disposal.
He carried with him a message of
peace and friendship. and of strong
desire for good understanding and
mutual helpfulness; and he was every
where received in the spirit of his
message. The members of govern
ment, the press, the learned profess
sions, the men of business and the
great masses OF the people united
everywhere in emphatic response TO
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05

failed by deliberate purpose of its
members. so that there was no mower
To act on his resignation, and the Gov
eminent came to a halt. In accord
snce with the so-called Platt amend
ment. which was embodied in the con-
stitutfon of Cuba, 1 thereupon pro-
claimed a provisional government TOT
the island, the Secretary of War act
ing as provisional Governor until ne
could be replaced by Mr.. Magoon' the
late Minister to Panama and Governor
Of the Canal Zone on the isthmus;
troops were sent to support them ana
10 relieve the navy, the expedition be-
ing handled with most satisfactory
sneed and efficiency.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05

trained in the continual performance
Of their duties; that is. in the man
agement of the battleships and ar
mored cruisers gathered into fleets.
This is not true of the army officers,
who rarely have corresponding
chances to exercise command over
troops under service conditions.
The conduct Of the Spanish war
showed the lamentable loss of life.
the useless extravaganza and the IN
efficiency certain to. result il during
peace the high officials of the War
and Navy Departments are praised and
rewarded only If they save money at
no matter what cost to the efficiency
of the service. and If the higher offics5s
are given no chance whatever to eE
else and practise command. For years
prior to the Spanish War the Secre-
taries of War were praised chiefly II
they practised ecOnomy5 which econ
omy. especially in connection with the
quartermaster. comm isSary and med
ical departments, was directly respon-
sible for most of the mismanagement
that occurred in the war itSelf-and
parenthetfcally be IL observed that the
very. people who ciamored for the mis-
directed economy In the first place were
foremost to denOunce the mismanage-
ment. loss and suffering which were
primarily due to this same nisdirected
economy and to the lack of Sprepara-
tion ii involved. There should Soon be
an increase In the number OF men for
our coast defenses; these men should
be Of the right type and properly
trained: and there should therefore be
an increase of pay for certain skilled
grades. especially in the coast artillery.
Money should be appropriated TO per-
nit troops to be massed in Body and
exercised in maneuvers. particularly
in marching. Such exercise during the
summer just past has been of incal-
cUIable benefit to the army and should
under no circumstances 2 be -discon-
timed
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
War for Principle

1t must ever be kept in mind that
war is not merely justifable, but Inn
perative, upon honorable men, upon an
honorable nation, where peace can only
be obtained by the sacrifice of consci-
entious conviction or of national well
fare. Peace is normally a great good,
and normally it comedies with right
eouSness; but it is righteousness, and
not peace, which should bind the con-
science of a nation as ii should bind
the conscience of an individual; and
neither a nation nor an individual co n
surrender conscience to another's keep
ing. Neither can nation, which Is an
entity and which doA not die as indi-
viduals die refrain from taking
thought for the interest of the genera
tions that are to come, no less than
the interest of the generation of to-
day; and no public men have a right,
whether from shortsightedness, from
selfish Indifference or from sentimental
ity. to sacrifice national interests
which are vital in character. A just
war is in the long run far better for a
nations soul than the most prosperous
peace obtained by acquiescence in
wrong or injustice. Moreover tho it is
criminal for nation not to prepare for
war, so that 1t may escape the dread
full consequences of being defeated in
war, yet 1t must always be remembered
that even to be defeated in war may
be far better than not to have fought
at all. AS has been well and finely
said, a beaten nation is not necessarily
a disgraced nation; but the nation or
man is disgraced if the obligation to
defend right is shirked.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Explains Doctrine

The traditional policy or the united
States (which) without accentuating
superiority or seeking preponderance,
condemned the oppression of the ma
lions of this part of the world and the
control of their destinies by the great
powers of Europe"
It is gratifying to know that in the
great city of Buenos Ayres, upon the
arches which spanned the streets, en-
twined with Argentine and American
flags for the reception of our repre-
sentative, there were emblazoned not
only the names of Washington and
Jefferson and Marshall, but also, in ap-
preciative recognition of their serv-
ices to the cause of South American
independence, the names of James
Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Henry
Clay and Richard Rush. We take
especial pleasure in the graceful cour-
tesy of the Government of Brazil,
which has given to the beautiful and
stately building first used for the
meeting of the conference the name of
'Palacio Monroe" Our grateful &C
acknowledgements are due to the Gov
ernments and the people Of all the
countries visited by the Secretary of
State for the courtesy, the friendship
and the honor shown to our country
in their generous hospitality to him.
In my message to you on the 5th of
ton to the embarrassment that might
be caused to this Government by the
assertion by foreign nations of the
right to collect by force of arms con-
tract debts due by American republics
to citizens of the collecting nation,
and to the danger that the process
of compulsory collection might result
in the occupation of territory tending
to become permanent. I then said:
Our own Government has always
refused to enforce such contractual
obligations on behalf of its citizens
by an appeal to arms. 1t is much to
be wisht that all foreign governments
would take the same view"
This subject was one of the topics
of consideration at the conference at
Rio and resolution was adopted by
that conference recommending to the
respective governments represented ito
consider the advisability Of asking the
Second Peace Conference at The
Hague to examine the question of the
compulsory collection of public debts,
and In general, means tending to di-
minish among nations conflicts of
purely pecuniary origin"
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Britain Dilatory

The laws for the protection of the
seals within the jurisdiction of the
United States need revision and amend
ment. Only the islands of ST. Paul
and ST. George are now, in terms, in
cluded in the Government reservation,
and the other islandsseare also to be
included. The landing Of aliens as well
as citizens upon the islands, without
a permit from the Department of Com
merce and Labor, for any purpose ex-
cept in case of stress of weather or
for water, should be prohibited under
adequate penalties. The approach of
vessels for the excepted purposes
should be regulated. The authority
of the Government agents on the is
lands should be enlarged and the chief
agent should have the powers of a
committing magistrate. The entrance
of a vessel into the territorial waters
surrounding the islands with intent to
take seals should be made a criminal
offense and cause of forfeiture. Author
ity for seizures in such cases should
be given and the presence on any YES
sci of seals or sealskins, or the para
phernalia for taking them, should be
made prima facie evidence of such in
tent. 1 recommend what legislation
is needed to accomplish these ends:
and / commend to your attention the
report OF Mr.. Sims of the Department
of Commerce and Labor on this SUBJ
ject.
In case we are compelled to abandon
the hope of making arrangements with
other Governments to put an end to
the hideous cruelty now incident to
pelagic sealing, 1t will be a question
for your serious consideration how far
we should continue to protect and
maintain the seal herd on land with
the result of continuing such a prac-
tise, and whether 1t is not better to
end the practise by discriminating the
herd ourselves in the most humane
way possible.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
TWO MEN DIE sUDDENr.Y

Two men died suddenly yesterday
without the services of physicians The
cases were reported to the aorgue.
Archibald McNab. a carpenter, expired
at 2706 Bryant street. and Gfobotta Va
lerga. a laborer. died at 100 Milton
street Both men had been ailfng for
some time. but 1t was not thought that
they would die. n
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Deprecate Coercion

This resolution was supported by
the representatives of the United
States In accordance with the follow
ing instructions:
1T has long been the established
policy of the United States not to use
its armed forces for the collection Of
ordinary contract debts due to it's citi-
Gems by other governments. We have
not considered the use of force for
sucn purpose consistent with that
respect for the independent sovereignty
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Japanese Involved

The process of destruction mas Deen
accelerated during recent years by the
appearance of number OF japanese
vessels engaged in pelagic sealing. as
these vessels have not been bound even
by the inadequate limitations pre-
scribed by the Tribunal of Paris, they
have paid no attention either to the
close season or - the siXty-nile limit
imposed upon - nadians, and have
prosecuted their work to the very
islands themselves. On July 16. and II,
the crews from several. japanese yes
sells made raids upon the island OF
ST. Paul, and before they were beaten
off by the very meager, and insufficient
ly armed guard. they succeeded In KILL
ing several hundred seals and carry
ing off the skins of most OF them
Nearly all the seals killed were fe-
males and the work was done with
frightful barbarity. Many of the seals
appear to have been skinned alive and
many were found half skinned and still
alive The raids were repealed only by
the use of firearms, and five of the
raiders were killed, two were wounded
and twelve captured, including the two
wounded. Those captured have since
been tried and sentenced to imprison-
ment. An attack of this kind had been
wholly unlookt for, but such provis-
ion of vessels, arms and ammunition
will now be made that its repetition
will not be found profitable.
Suitable representations regarding
the incident have been made to the
Government Japan. and we are as
esured that all practicable measures will
be taken by that country to prevent
any recurrence of the outrage. On our
part, the guard on the island will be
increased, and better equipped and or
ganized, and a better revenue-cutter
patrol service about the islands will
be established: next season a United
States war vessel will also be sent
there.
We have not relaxed our efforts to
secure an agreement with Great Brit
ain for adequate protection of the
seal herd, and negotiations with Japan
for the same purpose are in progress