The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-03-04

tack, and by that time We may hope
that the men to man them will be pro-
vided as a necessary adjunct. The
distance of our shores from Europe
and Asia of course reduces the neces-
sity for maintaining under arms a
great army, but it does not take away
the requirement of mere prudence,
that we should have an army suffi-
GENTLY large and so constituted as to
form nucleus out of which a suit
able force can quickly grow
What has been said of the army
may be affirmed in even a more en-
phatic way of the navy. A modern
navy cannot be improvised 1t must
be built and in existence when the
emergency arises which calls for its
use and operation. My distinguished
predecessor has in many speeches and
messages set out with great force and
striking language the necessity for
maintaining strong navy commensur-
ate with the coast line, the govern
mental resources and the foreign trade
of our nation; and | wish to reiterate
all the reasons which he has pre-
scented in favor Of the policy of main
tanning strong navy as the best con
servator of our peace with other ma
tons and the best means of securing
respect for the assertion of orr rights.
the defense of our interests and the
exercise of our influence in interna-
tional matters.
Our international policy is always
to promote peace. We shall enter
into any war with a full conscious
uess of the awful consequences that
it always entails. whether successful
or not, and we. of course. shall make
every effort, consistent with national
honor and the highest national inter
est, to avoid a resort to arms. We
favor every instrumentality, like that
of The Hague tribunal and arbitration
treaties made with a view to its use
In all international controversies, in
order to maintain peace and to avoid
war But We should be blind to ex-
listing conditions and should allow
ourselves to become foolish idealists
If We did not realize that with all the
nations of the world armed and pre-
pared for war We must be ourselves
in a similar condition, in order to pre-
vent other nations from taking ad-
vantage of us and of our inability to
defend our interests and assert our
rights with a strong hand. In the
International controversies that are
likely TO arise in the orient, growing
out of the question OF the open door
and other issues, the United States
can maintain her interests intact and
can secure respect for her just de-
mands. She will not be able to do so.
however. If it is understood that she
never intends to back up her asser-
ton of right and her defense of her
interest by anything but mere verbal
protest and diplomatic note. For
these reasons. the expenses of the
army and navy and of coast defenses
should always be considered as some
thing which the government must pay
for. and they should not be cut off
through mere consideration of econ
omy. Our government is able 10 af-
ford a suitable army and a suitable
navy. II may maintain them without
the slightest danger to the republic
or the cause of free institutions, and
fear of additional taxation ought not
to change a proper policy in this re-
gard.
The policy Of the United States in
the Spanish war and since, has given
It a position of influence among the
nations that 1t never had before, and
should be constantly exerted TO Sc
curing to its bona fde citizens, wheth-
er native or naturalized, respect for
them as such in foreign countries
We should make every effort to pre-
vent humiliating and degrading pro
hibition against any of our citizens
wishing temporarily to soiourn in for
eign countries, because of race or re-
ligion.
Sees Serious Defect In
Present Federal Jurisdiction.
The admission of Asiatic immi-
grants who can not be amalgamated
with our population has been made
The subject either of prohibitory
clauses in our treaties and statutes,
or OF strict administrative regulation
secured by diplomatic negotiation. !
sincerely hope that We may continue
10 minimize the evils likely to arise
from such immigration without I'M
necessary friction and by mutual con
nessions between self-respecting gov
ernments. Meantime, We must take
every precaution to prevent, or, fail
ing that, TO punish outbursts of race
feeling among our people against for
eigners Of whatever nationality who
have by our grant treaty right to
pursue lawful business here and to be
protected against lawless assault or
injury.
This leads me to point out serious
defect in the present federal jurisGic-
lion which ought TO be remedied at
once. Having assured to other coun
tries by treaty the protection OF our
laws for such Of their subjects or
citizens as we permit to come within
our jurisdiction we now leave to a
state or a city, not under the control
of the federal government, a duty of
performing our international obliga-
lions In this respect. BY proper legis-
lation we may, and ought to, place in
the hapdc Of tho PadaraI eyacutIva tho