Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-03-06

highest national interest, to avoid a re-
sort TO arms. We favor every instru-
mentality, like that of The Hague
Tribunal and arbitration treaties made
with view to its use in all interna-
tlonal 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 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,
growing out of the question of the
open door and other issues. the United
States can maintain her interests in
tact and can secure respect for her
just demands. She will not be able
to do so, however, II it is understood
that she never intends to back up her
assertion of right and her defense of
her interest by anything but mere YER
bal 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 to- af-
ford suitable army and a suitable
navy. 1t may maintain them without
tho c1i ph ri Ion To
the cause of free institutions, and fear
of additional taxation ought not to
change a proper policy in this regard
The policy of the United States IN
the Spanish war, and since has given
it position of influence among the
nations that it never had before, and
should be constantly eXerted to Sc
curing to it's bona fide citizens, wheth-
er 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 coun-
tries because of race or religion
The admission of Asiatic Immigrants
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 adj
ministrative regulation secured by
diplomatic negotiation. l sincerely
hope that we may continue by diplo-
matte negotiation. 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
outbursts of race feeling among our
people against foreigners Of. whatever
nationality 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 serious
defect in the present federal jurisdic
ton 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 city, not under the control
of the federal government, the duty OF
performing our international obliga
tons in this respect. BY proper legis.
lation we may, and ought to, place in
the hands of the federal executive the
means of enforcing the treaty rights
of such aliens in the courts of the fed
eral government. 1t puts our govern
ment in a pusillanimous position tc
| make definite engagements to protect
aliens and then to excuse the failure tt
perform those engagements by an ex
PLANTATION that the duty to keep then
is in states or cities not within oul
control. If we would promise, we
must put ourselves in position to per
| form our promise. We cannot permi
the possible failure of justice due tt
local prejudice in any state or munich
pal government to expose us to the
risk of war which might be avoided
If federal jurisdiction was asserted b!
suitable legislation by congress ant
carried out by proper proceedings in
stituted by the executive, in the court:
Of the national government.
The Money Question.
One of the reforms to be carried on
|
a change of our monetary and bankin.
laws, SO as to secure greater elasticit.
in the forms Of currency available TO
trade, and to prevent the limitations
of law operating to increase the EN-
barrassments Of financial panic. Thu
Monetary commission lately appointed
is giving full consideration to existin,
conditions and to all proposed rem
edies, and will doubtless suggest on
that will meet the requirements o
business and of public interest W.
may hope that the report will embod
neither the narrow view Of those VIII
believe that the sole purpose of tn
new system should be to secure
large return on banking capital or Q
those who would have greater ea
pansion of currency with little regar
to provisions for it's immediate re
demption or ultimate security Their
is no subject Of economic discussion
SO intricate and so likely to evoke di
fering views and dogmatic statement
as this one. The commission is stud!
ing the general influence of currenc
on business and of business on cul
rency, have wisely extended their II
yncii GA tjoDc in F1,roDpaD ba nl,ip0 an