New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-03-05

-ss+. oF government funds in unnecessary ex-
penditure. The scope Of a modern government
IN what it can and ought 20 accomplish FOR us
people has been widened far beyond the prlh-
ciples laid down by the old laissez faire school
Of political writers ard this widening has met
popular approval
In the Department of Agriculture the use of
scientific experiments large scale and the
spread of information derived from them fer the
Improvement of general agriculture must go on
The importance of supervising business or
great railways and industrial combinations. and
the necessary investigation and prosecution OF
unlawful business methods are another neces-
sary tax upon government which did not exist
half century ago.
CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES.
The putting into force OF laws which shall
secure the conservation OF our resources, SO far
as they may be within the jurisdiction of the
federal government, including the most lmpor-
tant work Of saving and restoring our forests
and the great Improvement of waterways, are
all proper government functions which must
involve large expenditure IL properly performed
While some Of them, like the reclamation Of arld
lands. are made TO pay for themselves. others
are of such an indirect benefit that this cannot
be expected Of them. permanent improve
ment like the Panama Canal should be treated
as a distinct enterprise and should be paid for
by the proceeds of bonds, the issue OF which
will distribute its cost between the present and
future generations in accordance with the bene-
fits derived It may we'll be submitted to the
serious consideration OF Congress whether the
deepening and control Of the channel Of great
river system like that OF the Ohio or Of the
Mississippi, when definite and practical plans
for the enterprise have been approved and de-
termined upon, should not be provided for IN
the same way.
Then, too. there are expenditures of govern
ment absolutely necessary if our country is TO
maintain its proper place among the nations Of
the world and is to exercise its proper influence
in defence of its own trade interests, in the
maintenance Of traditional American policy
against the colonization of European monarchies
in this hemisphere, and in the promotion Of
peace and international morality. refer TO the
cost of maintaining proper army, proper
navy and suitable fortihcations upon the main
land ~ the United States and in its dependen-
cies. >
We should have an army so organized, ana
so ofHcered as to be capable in time OF emer-
- =; co-oraration with the national militia,
and under the provisions of a proper national
1-oiuntser law rapidly TO expand into force
sr4sc,ent 70 resist all probable invasion from
abroad and TO furnish a respectable expedition
arv force if necessary, in the maintenance OF
o,1r ira ditional American policy which pears the
name of President Monroe.
orr fortifications are yet in a state of only
martial completeness, and the number OF men 10
man them is insufficient. In a few years now
ever. the usual annual appropriations Tor our
coast defences both on the mainland ano IN the
dependencies will make them sufficient TO resist
all direct attack, and by that time we may hopo
SkoT1 will
e necessary adjunct. The distance Of our shores
from Europe and Asia, of course. reduces the
necessity for maintaining under arms a great
army but il does not take away the REQUIRE
raent of mere prudence, that we should nave an
army sufficiently large and so constituted as TO
form q nucleus out Of which suitable force can
quickly grow.
What has been said Of the army may ne
affirmed in even more emphatic way OF the
navy modern navy cannot be improv1sed IL
must be built and in existence when the emer-
gency arises which calls for its use and opera
ton My distinguished predecessor has in many
speeches ard messages set out with great force
and striking language the necessity for main
tanning a strong navy commensurate with the
coast line, the governmental resources ana the
foreign trade of our nation, and | wish 10 re
iterate all the reasons which he has presented IN
favor of the policy of maintaining strong navy
as the best conservator of our peace with other
nations and the best means of securing respect
for the assertion Of our rights, the defence Of
our interests and the exercise of cur influence in
international matters.
PEACEFUL INTERNATIONAL POLICY.
Our international policy is always TO promote
peace. We shall enter into any war with 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 in
terest, to avoid resort to arms We favor
every fundamentally. 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 10 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 must be ourselves in similar eondi-
ton in order TO prevent other nations from tax
ing advantage Of US and Of inability to de
fend cur interests and assert rights with
strong hand. In tire 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 inter
ests intact and csn secure respect for her just
demands She will not be able TO do so, how
ever. If il is understood that she never intends
TO back up her assertion of right and her de-
fence of her interest by anything but mere YER
bal protest and diplomatic note. For these rea-
sons the expenses of the army and navy and Of
coast defences should always be considered as
something which the government must pay for
and they should not be cut of through mere
consideration Of economy. Our government is
able to afford a suitable army and q suitable
navy. 1t may maintain them without the
slightest danger to the Republic or the cause of