The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-08-06

then proceeded to do him up. The key
note of his masterful plea was for a
larger navy-not for the purpose of
conquest, but for the purpose of de-
Tense in emergency, standing notice
to all powers on earth that they must
pursue humane policy toward the
weaker nations. He advocated larger
navy to the end that both the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts may be properly po-
Iced by modern battleships-not by a
fleet looking for war but rather de-
manding and compelling world wide
peace. This demand the United States
alone can make, for her people lead all
other nations of the earth in the prac-
tice and rewards of peace.
In his lecture Capt. Hobson said:
RELIGIOUS TENDENCY.
"Tbe strongest vein in Americas fibre
is the vein of religion, and peace is part
of its religion. If war prevails in the
orient the work of civilization and chris
tianization will cease and the progress Of
the world will be retarded. There never
has been transition period but has been
fraught with dangers, but if America can
keep peace over the world the forces of
religion, morals and education will con-
quer.
MUST HAVE POWER.
"But If America is to have her voice in
| the great questions of the new era she
must have power before which other
nations tremble. If she had had this
power the war between Russia and ia
pan would have been prevented. If she
does not have the prestige among the
nations, caused by her great naval power
she will not only lose her influence
among nations but jeopardize her own
safety as world power"
FEARS WAR WITH JAPAN.
Captain Hobson then told in detail the
reason why Japan is preparing for war
with the United States. ut is only ma
tural," said Capt. Hobson, "that Japan
! will not watch the United States gain
possession of all the wealth in the Pacific
Ocean without doing her share to grasp
some of it. Japan has been preparing
for years to make herself aggressive in
the western hemisphere and at the pres
enJ time her activities are unrestricted
and her preparations unlimited.
"In order for the United States to take
her place as world power and dicta-
tor of the peace policy Of the nations,
America must hold it's right Of prcroga-
ative and her influence toward the ad-
vancement of civilization in the new era,
and in order that the United States may
protect herself and keep a world peace
she must have the power with which
she can retain her heritage, force her
policy and demand her rights-a big
navy"
At the conclusion Of his address Capt.
Hobson offered the following resolution
which has been enthusiastically ap-
proved since January 1, 1905, by 496
audiences, aggregating more than 49,
600 persons, assembled at representa-
tive American cities situated in A
states of the union, and it was adopted
without dissenting voice:
In the interest of peace and Justice,
be it
Resolved by this gathering of repre-
sentative citizens of the city of Leon,
state of Iowa:
l. That general treaties of arbitra-
tion should be negotiated by the United
States with all nations, granting juris.
diction to the International Court at
The Hague over as many classes of con.
troversies as the other contracting pow.
er in each case can be induced to trans
fer from the field Of battle to the pre-
cincts of Courts of Justice.
2. That the United States should
declare in favor of Permanent Inter.
national Congress containing Repre-.
4 sentatives from every Nation, to assem-
BILE periodically and automatically fol-
the purpose of suggesting such changes
in the law of nations and in the method
of its administration as the current o.
events may make desirable and prac
ticable.
3. That present conditions call fol
the immediate adoption Of a progressive
naval program that will give the United
States navy capable of performing it,
duty, i. e., of protecting our vast Sc,
coast, our great and ever increasing
volume of ocean-going commerce, oul
growing interests in foreign markets
our distant possessions, and of execu
ting effectively all the just Foreign
Policies of the Nation.
\ 4. That the Chairman appoint com
mittee Of three to call upon the Mayor
who is hereby requested to join will
said committee in communicating thi
resolution to the representative in con
gress in this district, the two SENATOR
from this state, and the president of th'
United States.
At the close of his able address
many in the audience went forwart
to grasp Capt. Hobson by the han.
and assure him that his views me
with their hearty approval. Unfortun
ately all could not meet him, as h,
was billed to speak the same evenin,
J at the Charlton Chautauqua and ha,
to be rushed in an auto to the depo
to catch an extra train in order no
to miss his date at Charlton. Tha
Capt. Hobson made good in Leon goe
without saying, and regardless o
. political belief every Intelligent per
son had to admit that his argumen
could not be resisted. Again we say
Hobson made good.
The fact that Hobson is a demo
cratic congressman is unknown t.
many and we give his biography as i
, appears in the congressional direc
I. tory:
Richmond Pearson Hobson, democrat
, of Greensboro. was born at Greensboro
: Ala, August IL, 1870; was educate
at the Southern university. the Unite
.. States naval academy, the Frenc