Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-11
MISSION Of AMERICA
EXPLAINED BY TAFT
CONTINUED from First Page.)

charged with the responsibility Of civil
government in those islands.
Il like to think whether IL be true or
not that we have in this generation
reached a somewhat different view Of the
responsibilities of civiliSed nation from
that which prevailed in the last genera
ton. especially as applied to our own
country.
1T was perhaps natural that when we
were engaged in digging into the soil
and doing the best we could to make
the habit 1t Of thinking "" that ' we were a
nation by ourselves with no responsible
tiles whatever with respect to the rest
Of the world. And so we have had
maxims come down to us and construc-
ton put upon Washingtons farewell ad-
dress that would still keep us in a place
of isolation, and with pleasant remarks,
and well and politely expressed hopes for
the welfare Of other peoples. but devoting'
ment.
Spirit Of Monroe Doctrine.
mot even in the days when that prin-
ciple was announced and was followed
with q good deal OF care there was one
doctrine which was utterly at variance
with 1t. and that was the Monroe doc
trine. That did give us some sort of re-
sponsibility. and did make US assume
some SOIt VI pTOtcCtlOu AuU IulcICSl ia
the independent nations and government
Of this hemisphere. That has now en-
larged into what I think we may call q
definite recognition on the part Of our
public men that we have a very distinct
interest in the welfare and q very dis
tinct duty with reference to the condition
Of the countries of this hemisphere.
I'VE have exhibited 1t in what was. I
think We may almost say. the only al
truistic foreign war that history pre-
that n which mo fought for the
liberties Of Cuba and the ending of what
we regarded at that time as a national
scandal. And SO we have gone on. 3.
I'VE have taken over, In a sense. re-
are helping out that country as well as
we may. And We are doing what We
can to preserve the peace between the
central American countries.
There he's back In all the history or
this continent the possibilities Of a heavy
obligation resting upon US should an ex-
plosion take place and unhappiness and
chaos result for any OF the peoples OF this
hemisphere. Now. that is one step. The
Cuban war illustrated the fact that when
you get into a war you never know where
you are coming out.
I'VE entered lightly-well. not lightly.
but without sense of due gravity. and
certainly not with a sense Of what the
Santiago. And we brought up 10000 miles
away at Manila.
And then we had to take over that
government and we still have 1t. 1t has
cost US q good deal of money.
II had a democratic senator ask me the
other day how much / thought 1t cost,
right down between us. now. he said
Well, I explained to him that the war
Department accounts showed that so far
as the army was concerned down to 1907
1t had cost us about $4,000. 900. and that
the further cost depended upon how you
regarded the army.
''If you thought that We could get along
with fifteen or twenty thousand men less
than we now have. then the whole cost Of
the army ought to be imposed as part
Of our foreign policy, which would make
from twenty-five to thirty millions year.
But II you thought that we ought to have
the army of the size that 1t is now. and
that 1t could be made useful in many
ways. then 1t has cost US by reason of our
Philippine policy upward Of $6.OO0.OOO.
Now, perhaps, ] am q little bit ex-
IRENE. Perhaps my experience In the
Philippines has colored my view of the
situation. But 1 do not think that the
money that we have spent In that way.
even estimating II at the highest sum,
has been wasted In any way.
National Character Developed.
IT think it has developed our national
character. 1t has broadened US into a
view Of our national responsibilities as
no other experience could. No one can
say that we have been there-conscienti-
ously say. I mean, right down between
us'-that we have been there for the ex-
ploitation Of our own business. do not
mean to say that 1t may not come along
and think 1t will, and hope 1t will
but certainly we have not made any
money out of 1t up to date.
And certainly We have not been there
and have not done the things that we
have done with view to our business
profit. We have been there conscientious
ly. and / think can speak for part Of
those who have been charged with its
immediate responsibility for the better
ment Of the people Of the Philippine Is
lands.
"And am sure we have bettered their
condition We are in the position of
many a man who sought to help another
man. II we go into that sort Of thing
for undying gratitude we might as well
give 1t up in the beginning It does not
only benefit that you can get out Of 1t
Is the consciousness OF having tried to
do something for another man and the
belief that you really have, no matter
what he thinks about IL.
Now, was thrown into the Philip
pines against my will. Well. 1 won't
say that; 1 am person, l presume, who
could say yes or no. But I mean was
ture: that most engaging character. that
lovely man, William Mckinley. And
know what actuated him and 1 know
that the spirit that actuated him infiu-
enced us all. his successor. Theodore
Roosevelt; his Secretary. Elihu Root, and
all who had the good fortune to serve
under those great men.
And In the control and government Of
those islands ! first became aware Of the
Importance of foreign missions And IL
l may say SO. l think there is a strong
analogy between the spirit that leads a
nation into what we have done in Cuba.
In Santo Domingo and the Philippines,
and that movement which 1 am glad to
see growing stronger and stronger, the
movement In favor of foreign missions"
The devotional service opening the ses-
sion was conducted by Bishop Harding.
Commissioner Mcfarland then made the
opening address.
Mr.. Netherlands Speech.
Expressing the pleasure Washington
had In the safe return of President Taft
and his qualification that the Presidents
hrst address in Washington would be in
behalf OF the laymen's missionary move
ment and In the presence of so many of
Washington's representative citizens to
meet him. and saying he felt sure that
washington In this is as In all other
things would do it's full duty, Mr.. Mac
farland continued:
washington welcomes the laymen's
missionary movement because II promotes
the brotherhood of man implied in the
fatherhOod Of God. Washington is ar
customed to taking national and inter.
nationaI views. AS the National Capi-
tai. 1t Is an international center, to
which the diplomatic representatives OF
all the world come, from which MIR am.