East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-03-04

vent other nations from taking ad
vantage Of US and of our inability t.
defend our interests and assert ou
rights with a strong hand. In thu
international controversies that are
likely to, arise in ten orient growing
out of the question Of the open dool
and other issues, for her just demands
She will not be able to do so, however
If II Is understood that she never in.
tends to back up her assertion OF
right and her defense Of her Interest
by anything but mere verbal protest
and diplomatic note. For these rea-
sons the expenses of the army and
navy and Of coast defenses should al.
ways be considered as something which
tho government must pay for, and
they should not be cut off through
consideration of economy. Our gov
ernment g able to afford a suitable
army and suitable navy. 1t may
maintain them without the slightest
danger TO the Republic or the cause
Of free institutions, and fear Of ad-
ditional taxation ought not to change
proper policy in this regard.
A Nation of Influence.
The policy of the United States ir
the Spanish War, and since, has glver
1t position Of influence among the
nations that it never had before, and
should be constantly exerted to secur-
ing to its bona fde citizens, whether
native or naturalized respect for
them as such in foreign countries. We
should make every effort to prevent
humiliating and degrading prohibition
against any of our citizens wishing
temporarily to sojourn in foreign
countries because of race or religion.
The admission of Asiatic immigrants
who can not be amalgamated with
population has been made the sub
ject either of prohib!tory clauses in
our treaties and statutes, or of strict
administrative regulation secured by
diplomatic negotiation. l sincerely
hope that we may continue to mini
mize the evils likely to arise from such
without unnecessary fric-
tion and by mutual concession be-
tween self-respect!ng governments
Meantime, we must take every pre-
caution to prevent or, falling that, to
punish outbursts of race feeling
among our people against foreigners,
whatever nationality who have by our
grant a treaty right to pursue law
ful business here and to be protected
against lawless assault or injury.
Serious Defect.
This leads me to point out a serious
defect in the present Federal jur!s-
diction which ought to be remedied
at once. Having assured to other
countries by treaty the protection of
Of our laws for such of their subjects
or citizens as we permit to come with
in our jurisdiction, we now leave to a
state or city, not under the control
Df the federal government, the
duty Of performing our international
obligations in this respect. BY pro-
proper legislation we may, and ought
to, place in the hands of the Fed
eral Executive the means of enforcing
the treaty rights of such aliens in the
courts of the federal government 1t
puts our Government in a pusillanim-
ous position to make definite engage
ments to protect aliens and then to eX-
,use the failure to perform those en-
yagements by an explanation that the
iuty to keep them is in States or cities
not within our control If we would
promise, we must put ourselves in
position to perform our promise.
We cannt permit the possible fail
ire of justice due to local prejudice i'm !
my State or municipal government to |
'xpose to risk of a war which might |
,e avoided If federal jurisdiction was !
sserted by suitable legislation by |
congress and carried out by proper
instituted by the execu-
i've N the courts of the national
government.
Banking Laws.
one of the reforms to be carried |
ut during the incoming administra-
ion is a change Of our monetary and
anking laws, so as to secure greater
lacticity in the forms of currency
vailable for trade, and to prevent the
of law from operating to
lcrease the ombarrassments of a fl
ancial panic The monetary COM
Mission lately appointed IS giving full
onsideration to existing conditions
nd to all proposed remedies, and will
suggest one that will meet
ne requirements of business and of
ubl'c interest, We may hope that
ne report will embody neither the
arrow view of those who believe that
le sole purpose of the new system
lould be to secure a large return on
ankng capital. or of those who would
ave greater expansion of currency
18th little regard to provisions for +
5 immediate redemption or ultimate :
'curity. There Is no subject of eco ,
omic discussion SO intricate and so ,
kelly to evoke differing views and r
)gmatic statements as this one.
The commission is studying the /
neral influence of currency on bus q
ess and of business on currency, r
ave wisely extended their investiga- =
ons in European banking and none
ry methods. The information that
icy have derived from such experts .
they have found abroad will un-
,ubtedly be found helpful in the So