New-York tribune., 1908-06-19
NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATERWAYS.

NATTRAJ RESOURCES AND WATERWAYS.
We indorse the movement inaugurated by the
administration for the conservation Oh Hatula d.
resources: we approve ali measures to prevent
the waste of timber; commend the WORN
now going on for the reclamation of arid Ianus.
and reaffirm the Republican policy OF the iree
distribution of the available areas or the puolic
domain to the landless settler. No obligation
of the future is more insistent and none VIII
result in greater blessings to posterlty In llne
with this splendid undertaking is the 1urther
duty equally imperative TO enter upon syste-
matte improvement upon a large ana compre-
hensive plan. just to all portions of the country
of the waterways. harbOrs and Great Lakes.
whose natural adaptability TO the increasing
traffic of the land is of the greatest glfts
of q benign Providence.
THE ARMY AND NAVY.
The present Congress passed many com
mendable acts increasing the efficiency OF the
army and navy; making the militia OF the states
an integral part of the national estaoilshiieh';
authorizing joint maneuVres OF army ana
militia; fortifying new naval bases ana com
pleting the construction of coallns stations IN
stituting a female nurse corps for naval hCSp-
tails and ships, and adding two new battleships,
ten torpedo boat destroyers. three steam col
Iiers and eight submarines to the strength or
the navy. Although at peace with all the world
and in the consciousness that the Amerl-
can people do not desire and VIII not provoke
a wa with any other country, we nevertheless
declare our unalterable devotion to policy that
will keep this Republic ready at all times to
defend her traditional doctrines and assure her
quillity among the nations.
PROTECTION OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP
ABROAD.
We commend the vigorous efforts made by the
administration TO protect American citizens in
foreign lands and pledge ourselves to insist on
the lust and equal protection OF all our citizens
abroad II Is the unquestoned duty or the gov
ernment to procure for all our citizens, without
distinction, the rights of travel and so1ourn III
friendly countries. and we declare ourselves in
favor of all proper efforts tending to that end.
EXTENSION OF FOREIGN COMMERCE.
Under the administration Of the Republican
PARTY the foreign commerce of the United states
has experienced remarkable growth, until II
has present annual valuation of approximately
81 600 100000 and gives employment TO a
vast amount OF labor and capital which would
otherwise be idle. 1t has inaugurated through
the recent visit of the Secretary of State to
South America and Mexico a new era of Pan
American commerce and comfy which is bring
ing us into closer touch with our twenty sister
American republics, having a common historical
heritage a republican form of government and
Offering us a limitless field of legitimate COM
mercfal expansion
ARBITRATION AND HAGUE TREATIES.
The conspicuous contributions of American
craftsmanship to the great cause OF lnterna-
tional peace so signally advanced in the Hague
conferences are occasion for just pride and
oratihcation At the last session Of the Senate
of IN. limited States eleven Hague conventions
were ratified establishing the rights of neutralS
laws Of war on land, restriction Of submarine
mines limiting the of force for the Collec-
lion OF contractuaI debts. governing the opening
~ hostIIities extending the application of Ge-
nova principles and In many ways lessening the
evils Of war and promoting the peaceful settle
,nant of interna tiona controversies. At the same
session twelve arbitration conventions with great
nations were confirmed, and extradition. bOun-
darv and naturalization treaties of supreme i'm
nortsnce were ratified We indorse such achieve
rnents as the highest duty a people perform
and nroclaim the obligation OF further strength
ening the bonds Of friendship and good Will with
all the nations of the world.
MERCHANT MARINE.
We adhere to the Republican doctrine of en-
couraeement TO American piping urge
such legislation will revive the merchant ma
rine prestige of the country, c essential TO ma
,ional defence. the enlargarcINt of foreign trade
and the industrial prosperity Of our own people.
VETERANS OF THE WARS.
Another Republican policy which must ever
he maintained is that of generous provision for
those who have fought the countrys battles
and for the widows and orphans of those who
y,idous' pensions made by the present Congress
and declare for a liberal administration of all
nenson laws the end that the peoples graft
t,Ide may grow deeper as the memories of heroic
sacrifice grow more zacred with the passing
yearA