The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-12-12
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S MESSAGE

II
ton to providing the men, and the means
for thorough training, provide the aux
| iliaries for them. unless provide docks,
the cOaling stations, the cOlliers and supply
ships that they need. We are extremely
| deficient in coaling stations and docks on
the Pacific and this deficiency should not
longer be permitted to exist. Plenty of tor
pedo boats and destroyers should be built
Both on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
| fortihcations OF the best type should be pro-
vided for all our greatest harbors
We need always to remember that in
time of war the navy is not to be used 10
| defend harbors and SeacOast cities: we
| should perfect our system of coast fortifica-
| tionS. The only efficient for the navy
is for ofense. The only way in which il
can efficiently protect our own coast against
the possible action of foreign navy is by
destroying that foreign navy For defense
against a hostile feet which actually attacks
them, the coast cities must depend upon
| their forts, mines, torpedOes, submarines
and torpedo boats and destrOyers.
Until our battle fleet is much larger than
at present IL should never be split into de-
tachments so far apart that they could not
! in event of emergency be speedily united.
| Our coast line Is on the Pacific just as
much as on the Atlantic. The interests Of
| California, Oregon and Washington are as
emphatica'ly the interests Of the whole
| Union as those of elaine and New York. OF
Louisiana and Texas. The battle fleet
should now and then be moved TO the Pa
chic. just as at other times 1t should be
| Kept in tle Atlantic.
| bespcak the most liberal treatment for
the officers nd enlisted men of the navy.
1t is trne of them. as likewise of the officers
and enlisted men of the army, that they
form body whose interests should be
close to the heart of every good Ameri-
can. In return the most rigid performance
OF duty should be exaeted from them. The
reward should be ample when they do their
best; and nothing less than their best
should be tolerated
1t must be remembered that everything
done in the navy to fit It to do we'll in
time of war must be done in time of peace.
Modern wars are short: they do not last
the length of time requisite to build bat
tleship; and it takes longer to train the
officers and men to do well on the battle
ship than 1t takes to build IL. Nothing eff
fective can be done for the navy once war
has begun. and the result of the war. IL
the combatants are otherwise equally
prepared best in time of peace. The United
States navy is the best guaranty the ma
ton has that its honor and interest will
not be neglected and in addition il Offers
by far the best insurance for peace that
can By human ingenuity Be devised.
Foreign Affairs.
In foreign affairs this country's steady
policy is TO behave toward other nations
as strong and selfrespecting man should
behave toward the other men with whom
he is brought into contact. In other words,
our aim is disinterestedly to help other
nations where such help can be wisely
given without the appearance of meddling
with what does not concern us TO be care
full to act as good neighbor: and at the
same time. in good-natured fashion. to make
1t evident that we do not intend to be i'm
posed upon.
The Peace Conference.
The second international peace conference
was convened at The Hague on the 18th
of June last and remained In session uutil
the 18th of October. For the first time
the representatives, of practically all the
civilized countries of the world united In
temperate and kindly discussion of the
methods by which the causes of might
be narrowed and its injurious effects re-
duced.
conference did not in any direction go to
the length hoped for by the more sanguine,
yet in many directions important steps
were taken, and upon every subject the
program there was such full and consider
ate discussion as to justify the belief that
substantial progress has been made toward
further agreements in the future The
delegates of the United States worthily
represented the spirit of the American peo-
pie and maintained with fidelity and abil-
ity the policy of our government upon all
the great questions discussed in the con-
ference.
A year ago in consequence of a revolu-
tionary movement in Cuba which threat
ened the immediate return to chaos of the
island. the United States interviewed send
ing down an army and establishing a pro-
visiona government under Coy. Magoon.
Absolute quiet and prosperity have re-
turned to the island because of this action.
We are now taking steps to provide for
elections In the island and our expecfa-
ton is within the coming year to be able TO
turn the island over again to a govern
ment chosen by the people thereof. Cuba
is at doors.
German Tariff Agreement.
The adoption of new tariff by Ger
many, accompanied by conventions for
ciprocal tariff concessions between that
country and most of the other countries
of continental Europe, led the German gov
eminent to give the notice necessary
terminate the reciprocal commercial agree
ment with this country proclaimed July ID,
: 1900 The notice was to take effect on the
LIST of March. 1906. Under a special agree
ment made between the two governments
In February. 1906, the German government
postponed the operation OF their notice
time l sent TO Berlin commission COM
posed of competent experts in the opera
ton and administration of the customs
tariff, from the departments of the treas
ury and commerce and labor. This CON-
mission was engaged for several months In
conference with similar commission APP
pointed by the German Government, under
Instructions so far as practicable, TO reach
common understanding as TO all the facts
regarding the tariffs of the United States
and Germany material and relevant to the
trade relations between the two countries.
The commission reported. and upon the basis
of the report, further temporary CONNER
cial agreement was entered into by the
two countries. This agreement is to remain
in force until the Both of June, 1908, and
until six months after notice by either party
TO terminate It,
The Public Health.
At last the public mind is awake to the
fact that many diseases, notably tuberculo-
sis, are national scourges. The work of
the State and city boards of health should
be supplemented by constantly increasing
interest on the part Of the national govern
ment.
other Recon- I'M endations.
recommend that a naval monument be
established in the yicksburg National Park.
LEGISLATION should be enacted at the pres
ent session OF the Congress Tor the thir-
tenth census.
There should be a national gallery of art
established N the capital city of this coun-
try.
again recommend that the rights of citi-
zenship be conferred upon the people OF
Porto Rico.
The Secretary of War has gone TO the
Philippines. on his return l shall submit
his report on the Islands.
strongly recommend TO the Congress to
provide funds for keeping up the Hermit
age, the home of Andrew Jackson.
The loss of life and limb from railroad
accidents in this country has become APP
palling. 1t is subject of which the ma
iional government should take supervision.
| | reiterate my recommendations of last
year as regards Alaska. Some form of
local elf-government should be provided, as
simple and inexpensive as possible.
The biological survey is quietly working
for the good of our agricultural interests,
and Is an excellent example Of a govern
ment bureau which conducts original scien-
tific research the findings of which Of
much practical utility.
The Congress should consider the extern
sion of the eight-hour law. The general in
PRODUCTION of the eight-hour day should be
the goal toward which we should steadily
tend, and the government should set the
example in this respect.
Unless the Congress is prepared by posi-
| tive encouragement to secure proper facilf-
ties in the way of shipping between Hawaii
| and the mainland, then the coastwise ship
ping laws should be so far relaxed as to
rz-f.~. .