Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-18

equal justice for all men. without regard
to race or color; we declare once more,
and without reservation, for the enforce
ment in letter and spirit of the thirteenth.
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution. which were designed for
the protection and advancement of the
negro and we condemn all devices that
have for their real aim his diSfranchiSe-
ment for reasons of color alone. as I'M
fair. unAmerican and repugnant to the
supreme law of the land.
Natural Resources and Waterways.
We indorse the movement inaugurated
by the administration for the conservation
of natural resources; we approve all
measures to prevent the waste of timber;
we commend the work now going on for
the reclamation of arid lands, and reaf-
firm the republican policy of the free dis
tribution of the available areas of the
public domain to the landless settler. No
obligation of the future is more inSiStent
and none will result in greater blessings
to posterity. In line with this splendid
undertaking is the further duty. equally
imperative. to enter upon a systematic
improvement upon large and 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 one Of
the greatest gifts of a benign Providence.
Inc Army ana navy.
The Sixtieth Congress passed many
commendable acts increasing the efficiency
Of the army and navy; making the militia
of the states an integral part of the ma
tional establishment; authorizing joint
maneuvers of army and militia; fortifying
new naval bases and completing the con-
struction of coaling stations; instituting a
female nurse corps for naval hospitals
ar W. hat
ten torpedo boat destroyers, three steam
Golfers and eight submarines to the
strength of the navy. Although at peace
with all the world and secure in the con-
seriousness that the American people do
not desire and will not provoke q war
with any other country, we nevertheless
declare our unalterable devotion to a pol
icy that will keep this republic ready at
all times to defend her traditional doc
trines and assure her appropriate part in
promoting permanent tranquility among
the nations.
Protection Of American Citizenship.
We commend the vigorous efforts made
by the administration to protect American
citizens in foreign lands, and pledge our
selves to insist upon the just and equal
protection of all our citizens abroad. 1t
is the unquestioned duty of the govern
ment to procure for all our citizens with
out distinction, the rights of travel and
sojourn in friendly countries, and we de-
clare ourselves in favor of all proper eff
forts tending to that end.
Extension Of Foreign Commerce.
Under the administration of the repub-
lican party the foreign commerce of the
United States has experienced a remark
able growth. until it has a present annual
valuation Of approximately three billions
of dollars and gives employment to a
vast amount of labor and capital which
would otherwise be idle. 1t has inaugu-
rated. through the recent visit of the Sec
rotary of State to South America and
Mexico, a new era of Pan-American COM
merce and comfy which Is bringing us
into closer touch with our twenty sister
American republics. having common his
tOrical heritage, a republican form of
government. and offering us a limitless
field of legitimate commercial expansion.
Arbitration and The Hague Treaties.
The conspicuous contributions of Ameri-
can craftsmanship to the great cause of
international peace, SO signally advanced
In The Hague conferences. are an &C.
casion for just pride and qualification. At
the last session Of the Senate of the
United States eleven Hague conventions
were ratified establishing the rights of
neutrals. laws of war on land. restriction
Of submarine mines. limiting the use of
force for the collection or contractual
debts. governing the opening Of HOSTILE
ties extending the application of Geneva
principles and In many ways lessening
the evils of war and promoting the peace
full settlement of international contro-
versies. AT the same session twelve arbi-