The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1909-03-04

number of men to man them is INSULT
Gent. In a few years, however, the
usual annual appropriations for our
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 will be pro-
vided as a necessary adjunct The
distance of our shores from Europe
and Asia, of course, reduces the ne
cessity for maintaining under arms q
great army, but 1t does not take away
the requirement of mere prudence,
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. 1t must
be built and in existence when the
emergency arises which calls for its
use and operation. My distinguished
predecessor has in many speeches and
messages set out with great force and
striking language the necessity for
maintaining a strong navy commensu-
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 conservator
- our peace with other nations and
| me 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
resort to arms. We favor every instru-
mentality, like that of The Hague tri-
bunal and arbitration treaties made
with. 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
, up her assertion Of right and her de
fense of her interest by anything but
, mereA verbal protest and diplomatic
| note. For these reasons the expenses
of the army and navy and of coast de
lenses should always be consids1A as
! something which the government mus
) pay for, and they should not be cut of
through mere consideration Of econ
omy. Our government is able to af
, ford a suitable army and suitable
navy. It may maintain them withou
the slightest danger to the republic Of
the cause of free institutions, and feal
of additional taxation ought not t.
! change a proper policy in this regard
: Protection For Our Citizens Abroad.
/ The policy of the United States II
the Spanish war and since has givel
it a position Of influence among tn
nations that it never had before an,
:, should be constantly exerted to secu1
ing to it's bona fide citizens, whethe
native or naturalized, respect for ther
. as such in foreign countries. w
>. should make every effort to proven
humiliating and degrading prohibitio
= against any of our citizens wishin
- temporarily to sojourn in foreign couE
tries because of race or religion.
!. The Japanese Question.
v The admission Of Asiatic immigrant
n who cannot be amalgamated with on
( population has been made the subjee
l. either of prohibitory clauses in on
|. treaties and statutes or Of strict az
r ministrattve regulation secured by dil
e lomatic negotiations. I sincerely hop
b that we may continue to minimize th
e evils likely to arise from such INN
= grafton without unnecessary frictio
It and by mutual concessions betwee
is self respecting governments. Meal
e time we must take every precaution
Ell prevent or, falling that, to punish GU
le bursts of race feeling among our pc
J. pie against foreigners Of whatever n
r tionality who have by our grant
r treaty right to pursue lawful busine.
or here and to be protected against Law
less assault or injury.
If This leads me to point out serio1
lr defect in the present federal jurisdi
,e ton which ought to be remedied
is once. Having assured to other cou
e. tries by treaty the protection of o.
le laws for such Of their subjects or CT
IN zens as we permit to come within o
IL Jurisdiction, we now leave to q sta
re- or a city not under the control Of t
n federal government the duty of pt
he forming our International obligatio
a in this respect. By proper legislati
MS we may and ought to place in t
al hands Of the federal executive t
means of enforcing the treaty rights
such aliens in the courts Of the fedel
government. 1t puts our governme
- in a pusillanimous position to ma
'ie definite engagements to protect allie
nd 70 ha 70 70 y,