Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-05


afford 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 proper policy in this regard.
The policy of the United States in the
Spanish war, and since, has given 1t a
position of influence among the nations
that 1t never had before, and should be
constantly exerted 10 securing to it's bona
fide citizens, whether native or natural
lied, respect for them as such in foreign
countries. We should make every effort
to prevent humiliating and degrading o.
hibition against any of our citizens wish
ing temporarily to sojourn in foreign
countries because of race or religion.
Asiatic Immigrants
The admission of Asiatic immigrants
who can not be amalgamated with cur
poulation has been made the subject e.
Their of prohibitory clauses in our treaties
and statutes, or of strict administrative
regulation secured by diplomatic negotia-
ton. l sincerely hope that we may con-
tinue TO minimize the evils likely to arise
from such immigration without unneoes-
sary friction and by mutual concessions
between self-respecting governments.
Meantime, we must take every precau-
ton to prevent, or, failing that, To punish
outbursts of race feeling among our peo-
pie against foreigners of whatever naticn-
atty who have by our grant treaty right
to pursue lawful business here and to be
protected against, lawless assault or in
jury.
THIS leads me to point out serious de-
feet in the present federal Jurisdiction
which ought to be remedied at once.
Having assured to other countries by
treaty the protection of our laws for
such Of Cheir subjects or citizens as we
permit to come within our Jurisdiction,
we now leave to a state or a city, not
under the control of the federal govern
ment, the duty of performing our inter-
national obligations in this respect. BY
proper legislation we may, and ought TO,
place in the hands of the federal exec
utive the means of enforcing the treaty
rights Of such aliens in the courts of the
federal government. 1t puts our govern
ment in a pusillanimous position to mako
definite engagements to protect aliens
and then to excuse the failure to perform
those engagements by an explanation
that the duty to keep them is in states
| or cities, not within our control If We
| would promise we must put ourselves in
| a position to perform our promise. We
cannot permit the possible failure of JUS
tice due to local prejudice in any state OF
municipal government to expose us to the
risk of a war which might be avoided II
federal jurisdiction was asserted by SUIT
able legislation by congress and carried
out by proper proceedings instituted by
the executive, in the courts of the nation
al government.
Monetary System.
One Of the reforms to be carried out
Il 4ssrkr tor, fu
change of our monetary and banking
laws, so as to secure greater elasticity
in the forms of currency available fol-
trade and to prevent the limitations of
law from operating to increase the en-
barrassments of financial panic. The
monetary commission lately appointed is
giving full consideration to existing con-
dftions and to all proposed remedies, and
win doubtless suggest one that will meet
the requirements of business and of pub
lie interest We may hope that the re-
port will embody neither the narrow
view of those who believe. that the sole
purpose of the new system should be 10
secure a large return on banking capital
OF" of those who would have greater ex-
hansion Of currency with little regard Ia
provisions for its immediate redemption
or ultimate security There is no subject
of economic discussion so intricate and
so likely to evoke differing views and
dogmatic statements as this one. The
commission in studying the general irflu-
ence OF currency on business and Of bus
mess on currency, have wisely extended
their Investigations In European oaneing
ond monetary methods The Information
that they have derived from such experts
as they have found abroad will undoubt-
eddy be found helpful in the solution. OF
the difficult problem they have in hand.
Postal Savings Bill
The incoming congress should promptly
fulfill the promise of the Republican
platform and pass a proper postal saw
ings savings bank bin. 1t will not be un-
wise or excessive paternalism. The prom
ise to repay by the government will fur
nish an inducement to savings deposits
which private enterprise cannot SUP
ply, and at such low rate Of interest
as not to withdraw custom from existing
banks 1t will substantially increase the
funds available for investment as cap
ital in useful enterprises. 1t will furnish
the absolute security of deposits so al
Turing without its pernicious results.
1 sincerely hope that the incoming con-
gress will be alive. as it should be, TO
the Importance of our foreign trade and
OF encouraging it in every way feasible.
The possibility of increasing this trade in
the Orient, in the Philippines and in
South America are known to everyone
who has given the matter attention. The
direct effect of free trade between this
country and the Philippines will be
marked upon our sale of cottons, agri-
cultural machinery and other manufac-
lures. The necessity of the establish
ment of direct lines of steamers between
North and South America has been
brought to the attention of congress by
my predecessor, and by Mr.. Root before
and after his noteworthy visit to that
continent, and 1 sincerely hope that con-
gress may be induced to see the wisdom
of a tentative effort to establish such
lines by the use of mail subsidies.
The Importance which the department
of agriculture and Of commerce and
labor may play in Kidding the markets
of Europe of prohibitions and
determinations against the impor-
tation of our products is fully under?
stood, and it is hoped that the use of the
maximum and minimum feature of our
tariff law to be soon passed will be eff
fective to remove many of these re-
strictions.
Panama Canal.
The Panama canal will have a most
important bearing upon the trade be-
tween the eastern and the far western
sections of our country, and will greatly
increase the facilities for transportation
between the eastern and the western sea-
board. and may possibly revolutionize
the transcontinental rates with respect