The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-12-25


large campaign funds would vanish
if Congress provided an approprla-
ton for the proper and legitimate ex-
penses Of each of the great national
parties, an appropriation ample
enough to meet the necessity for
thorough organization and machin-
cry, which requires large expendt-
ture Of money. Then the stipulation
should be made that no party receiv-
ing campaign funds from the Treas
ury should accept more than fixed
amount from any individual subscri-
Der or donor, and the necessary pub
licity for receipts and expenditures
could without difficulty be provided.
The time has come, in my Judg-
ment, to set to work seriously to
make our ocean mail service corre-
spond more closely with our recent
commercial and political develop
ment. AS the first step in that di-
rection, and the step most feasible at
the present time, I recommend the
extension of the ocean mail act OF
1891. I believe it is the duty OF
first-class Power so far as practlca-
BILE to carry it's ocean mails under its
own flag; that the fast ocean steam
ships and their crews, required for
such mail service, are valuable aux
iliaries to the sea power of nation.
Referring to the army, the Message
says it has always been too small ana
underpaid. 1t has never been an ap-
preciable tax on the people. The
cry against "militarism" is con-
demned. There are not enough
officers and it is impossible to secure
enough enlisted men. The Message
recommends that we should main
tain in peace complete skeleton OF
an army and full medical corps.
Concerning the navy, the Message
says it is not enough to build one bat
tleship a year. Four new battleships
are recommended, with coaling sta
tions and torpedo boats a-plenty. The
coast line on the Pacific demands as
much attention as its interests re-
uuire, and the battle fleet should now
and then be moved to the Pacific.
Then the Message continues: When
the Isthmian Canal is built the transit
of the battle feet from one ocean
to the other will be comparatively
easy. Until it is built I earnestly
hope that the battle fleet will be thus
shifted between the two oceans every
year OF two. The craftsmanship on
all our ships has improved phenomen-
ally during the last five years. Until
within the last two or three years IL
was not possible to train battle feet
in squadron maneuvers under service
conditions, and it Is only during these
last two or three years that the train
ing under these conditions has be-
come really effective. Another and
most necessary stride in advance is
now being taken. The battle fleet
is about starting by the Straits or
Magellan to visit the Pacific coast.
Sixteen battleships are going under
the command of Rear-Admiral Evans,
while eight armored cruisers and two
other battleships will meet him at
San Francisco, whittier certain tor
pedo destroyers are also going. NO
fleet of such size has ever made such
a voyage, and 1t will be OF very great
educational use to all engaged in 1t
The only way by which to teach off1-
GERS and men how to handle the meet
so as to meet every possible strain
and emergency in time of war is TO
have them practice under similar con-
ditions In time Of peace. Moreover,
| the only way to find out our actual
needs is to perform in time OF peace
whatever maneuvers might be neces-
sary in time of war. After war is de-
| clared it is too late to find out the
needs; that means to invite disaster.
This trip to the Pacific will show what
some of our needs are and will enable
us to provide for them. The proper
place for an officer to learn his duty
| is at sea, and the only way in which
navy can ever be made efficient is by
practice at sea, under all the concl.
tions that would have to be met IL
war existed.
In foreign affairs this country's
steady policy is to behave toward
other nations as self-respecting man
behaves toward other men. The work
of The Hague Peace Conference i7
commended and arbitration approved.
Cuba Is at our DOORS" says the
Message. 1t is not possible to permit
Cuba to sink to her former condition.
The Message recommends accept
ance of the invitation of Japan to the
exposition to be held at Toxic II
April, 1912.
A commission has been sent to Ger
many and the Message recommends
that the information it obtains should
be used to prevent tariff war WITH
Germany.
The Message asks that the Presi-
dent shall have authority to reform
the agreement with China and to
cancel the indemnity in excess OF
s11 1,655,492, necessary for the actual
indemnity to the United States and
/ it's citizens.
The Message recommends that this
Nation should assist in the education
of the Chinese people and receive
Chinese students in the universities.
The Message recommends that the
cordial reception of the Secretary OF
State by the President of Mexico
should be reciprocated and 10 pains
spared to manifest friendly feeling
| toward the people of our southern
neighbors.
After commencing the Interna-
tional Bureau Of American Republics,
| the Message concludes as follows:
| That institution, which includes ell
the American Republics in it's men,
bership and brings all their repre-
sentatives together. is doing a really
valuable work in informing the peo-
ple of the United States about the
other Republics and N making the
United States known to them. Its
action is now limited by appropria.
tions determined when it was doing
a work on much smaller scale and
rendering much less valuable service.
recommend that the contribution
| of this Government to- the expenses
of the Burefu be made commensurate
with IFS increased work.