The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-03-10
TAFT's
INAUGURAL
ADDRESS
Continued from Page One.)

Continued from Page One.)
What has been said Of the arm,
may be affirmed in even a more EN-
phatic way Of the navy. A modern
navy cannot be improvised. It mus
be built and in existence when tn
emergency arises which calls for tt
use and operation. My distinguished
predecessor has in many speeches ant
messages set out with great force ant
striking language the necessity fol
maintaining a strong navy commensu
rate with the coast line, the govern
mental resources and the foreign trade
Of nation, and l wish to reiterate
all the reasons which he has presented
In favor Of the policy Of maintaining
a strong navy as the best conservator
Of our peace with other nations and
the best means Of securing respect for
the assertion Of III rights, the defense
Of our interests and the exercise of
our influence in international matters.
Must Arm as Other Nations Do.
Our international policy is always to
promote peace. We shall enter into
any war with a full consciousness Of
the awful consequences that 1t always
entails, whether successful or not, and
we, of course, shall make every effort,
consistent with national honor and the
highest national interest, to avoid a
resort to arms. We favor every instru-
mentality. like that Of The Hague tri-
bunal and arbitration treaties made
with a view to its use in all interna-
tional controversies, in order to main
tain peace and to avoid war. But we
should be blind to existing conditions
and should allow ourselves to become
foolish idealists If we did not realize
that, with all the nations Of the world
armed and prepared for war, we must
be ourselves in a similar condition in
order to prevent other nations from
advantage Of us and Of our in
ability to defend our interests and as
sert rights with a strong hand
In the international controversies that
are likely to arise in the orient, grow
ing out Of the question Of the
open door and other issues, the
United States can maintain her inter-
intact and can secure respect for
her just demands. She will not be
able to do so, however, If 1t is under
stood that she v intends to back
up her assertion Of right and her de-
Tense 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 de-
lenses should always be considered as
something which the government must
pay for, and they should not be cut off
through Gere consideration Of econ
Omy. Our government is able to af-
ford Il suitable army and a suitable
navy. 1t may maintain them without
the slightest danger to the republic or
the AUS Of free institutions, and fear
of additional taxation ought not to
change a proper policy in this regard.
Protection For Our Citizens Abroad.
The policy Of the United States III
the Spanish war and since has given
it a position Of influence among the
nations that ii V had before and
should be constantly exerted to secur-
ing to it's bona fde citizens, whether
native or naturalized. respect for them
as such in foreign countries. We
should make every effort to prevent
humillating and degrading prohibition
against any of our citizens wishing
temporarily to s%ojourn in foreign coun-
tries because of race or religion.
The Japanese Question.
The admission Of Asiatic immigrants
who cannot be amalgamated with u
population has been made the subject
either OF prohibitory clauses in u
treaties and statutes or Of strict ad-
ministrative regulation secured by dip
lomatic negotiations. l sincerely hope
that we may continue to minimize the
evils likely to arise from such immi-
grafton without unnecessary friction
and by mutual concessions between
self respecting governments. Mean
time we must take every precaution to
prevent or, failing that, to punish out
~>SN ~ ASSAAA6 oA1OuS Ouk lCo-
pie against foreigners Of whatever ma.
ttonality who have by our grant a
treaty right to pursue lawful business
here and to be protected against law
less assault or injury.
This leads me to point out a serious
defect in the present federal jurisdic.
ton which ought to he 1emedied at
once. Having assured to other coun
tries by treaty the protection Of GU,
laws for such Of their subjects or citi
zens as we permit to come within, GU,
jurisdiction, we now leave to d state
or q city not under the control Of the
federal government the duty Of per
forming u international obligations
in this respect. BY proper Legislation
we may and ought to place in tn,
hands Of the federal executive tn,
means of enforcing the treaty rights O,
such aliens in the courts Of the fedora
government. It puts our government
in a pusillanimous position to max,
definite engagements to protect alien,