Morris tribune., 1909-03-06

Il
usual annual appropriations for ou1
coast defenses, both on the mainland
and in the dependencies, will make
them sufficient to resist all direct at
tack, and by that time we may hope
that the men to man them wil]ebe pro
vided as necessary adjunct. The
distance of our shores from Europe
and Asia, of course, reduces the ne
eessity for maintaining under arms a
great army, but it does not take away
the requirement of mere prudence,
that we should have an army sufi-
GENTLY large and so constituted as to
form a nucleus out of which suitable
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 It must
be built and in existence when the
emergency arises which calls for its
use and operation. Ny distinguished
predecessor has inamany speeches and
messages set out %lth great force and
striking language the NECESSITY for
maintaining strong ayAscommensu-
rate with the coast line, the govern
mental resources and the foreign trade
of our 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 consergator
of our peace with other nations and
.he best means of securing respect for
the assertion of our 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 it 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 it's 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
taking advantage of us and Of our in
ability to defend our interests and as
sert our 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
ests intact and can secure respect for
her just demands. She will not be
able to do so, however, if it is under
stood that she never intends to back
fense 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-
fenses should always be considered as
which the government must
pay for, and they should not be cut off
mere consideration of econ
omy. Our government is able to af-
ford 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 additional taxation ought not to
change a proper policy in this regard.
Protection For Our Citizens Abroad.
The policy Of the United States in
the Spanish war and since has given
1t a position Of influence among the
nations that it never had before and
should be constantly exerted to secur-
Ing to it's bona fide citizens, whether
native or naturalized, respect for them
as such in foreign countries. We
should make every effort to prevent
and degrading prohibition
against any of our citizens wishing
to sojourn in foreign coun-
tries because of race or religion.
The Japanese Question.
The admission of Asiatic immigrants
who cannot be amalgamated with our
has been made the subject
either of prohibitory clauses in our
,reaties and statutes or of strict ad-
regulation secured by dip
omatic negotiations. I sincerely hope
hat we may continue to minimize the
evils likely to arise from such immi-
grafton without unnecessary friction
Ind by mutual concessions between
self respecting governments Mean
tme we must take every precaution to
prevent or, failing that, to punish out
)ursts Of race feeling among our peo-
)le against foreigners Of whatever ma
ionality who have by our grant
reaty right to pursue lawful business
lere and to be protected against law
ess assault or injury. :
This leads me to point out serious
1efect in the present federal jurisdic-
ion which ought to be remedied at
once. Having assured to other coun-
,ries by treaty the protection of our
avs for Such of their Subjects or citi-