Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-08

u6lAy.
Foreign Affairs.
This nations foreign policy is based
on the theory that right must be done
between nations precisely as between
Individuals and In our actions for the
last ten years we have in this matter
proved our faith by our deeds. We
have behaved and are behaving to-
ward other nations as in private life an
honorable man would behave toward
his fellows.
Latin American Republics.
The commercial and material prog
ress OF the twenty Latin American re-
publics is worthy Of the careful atten-
ton of the congress. No other section
of the world has shown greater pro-
portionate development of it's foreign
trade during the last ten years. and
none other has more special claims on
the interest of the United States.
Panama Canal.
The work on the Panama canal Is be-
ing done with speed, efficiency and
entire devotion to duty which make 1t
model for all work of the kind. No
task Of such magnitude has ever before
been undertaken by any nation, and no
task of the kind has ever been better
performed. The men on the isthmus,
from Colonel Goethals and his fellow
commissioners through the entire list
of employees who are faithfully doing
their duty, have won their right to the
ungrudglng respect and gratitude Of
the American people.
Ocean Mail Lines.
again recommend the extension Of
the ocean mail act Of 1881 so that sat
isfactory American ocean mail lines to
South America, Asia. the Philippines
and Australasia may be established
The creation Of such steamship lines
should be the natural corolary of the
voyage Of the battle feet. 1t should
precede the opening of the Panama
canal.
The Philippines.
Real progress toward self govern
ment is being made in the Philippine
Islands. The gathering of q Philippine
legislative body and Philippine assem-
bly, marks a process absolutely new in
Asia, not only as regards Asiatic colo
MES of European powers, but as re-
CARDS Asiatic possessions of other ASH
attic powers, and indeed, always ex-
cepting the striking and wonderful ex-
ample afforded by the great empire of
Japan, 1t opens an entirely new de
parture when compared with anything
which has happened among Aslatic
powers which are their own masters.
We have given the Filipinos constitu-
tional government, government based
upon Justice, and we have shown that
We have governed them for their good
and not for our aggrandizelnent
At the present time, as during the
past ten years, the inexorable logic of
facts shows that this government
must be supplied by US and not by
them. We must be wise and gener-
GUS. We must help the Filipinos to
master the difficult art Of self con-
troll. which is simply another name for
self government. But we cannot give
them self government save in the
sense of governing them 80 that grad
ually they may, If they are able, learn
to govern themselves. No one can
prophesy the exact date when 1t will
be wise to consider independence as
q fixed and definite policy.
Porto Rico.
I again recommend that American
citizenship be conferred upon the peo-
pie of Porto Rico.
Cuba.
In Cuba our occupancy will cease in
about two months time. The Cubans
have in orderly manner elected their
own governmental authorities, and the
island will be turned over to them.
Our occupation on this occasion has
lasted little over two years, and
Cuba has thriven and prospered under
It. Our earnest hope and one desire
is that the people Of the island shall
now govern themselves with justice,
so that peace and order may be Sc
cure.
Tho fleete reception.
I take this opportunity publicly to
state my appreciation Of the way in
which in Japan, in Australia, in New
Zealand and in all the states Of South
America the battle fleet has been re-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world. The American government
cannot too strongly express its appre-
citation Of the Astounding and generous
hospitality shown our ships in every
port they visited.
The Army.
As regards the army, call attention
to the fact that, while our Junior otfi-
GERS and enlisted men stand very high,
the present system Of promotion by
seniority results in bringing into the
higher grades many men Of mediocre
capacity who have but short time to
serve. No man should regard it as
his vested right to rise to the highest
rank in the army any more than in
any other profession.
The scope of retiring boards should
be extended so that they could con-
slider general uniitness to command
for any cause in order to secure a far
more rigid enforcement than at pres
ent In the elimination Of officers for
mental, physical OF temperamental
disabilities. But this plan is recon-
mended only If the congress does not
see fit to provide what in my judy
nont Ia for l,ottor-fhot ia for Holpc.