The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-03

Omaha, Sept. Col. Roosevelt
advocated very strongly to-day the
fortifcation of the Panama Canal.
He said that to invite other nations
to step in and guarantee the neutral
ity Of this purely American work
would be an act of utter weakness
and folly.
It would mean, he declared, the
complete abandonment Of the Mon
roe doctrine. 1t would be a blow
to the prestige of the United States
on the Pacific. II would be treason
to the destiny OF the republic.
Those who heard the colonel
make these statements before an
audience Of 5000 persons in the
Auditorium Of Omaha construed
his remarks to be directed at Presi-
dent Taft, who does not share this
opinion.
FAvORs A BIG NAVY.
Col Roosevelt was mighty emphatic IN
his speech He discussed the navy. and
impressed upon the crowd that he is in
favor OF increasing it, He spoke OF the
wonderful cruise around the world OF the
fleet and pointed with pride to the fact
that he had fooled those who> had said
that It could not sucoessfuil- be accom-
plished- A large navy. said tie colonel.
/ Is our greatest asset FOR peace. he did
not urge belligerency. but he urged
strength
As a help 70 the cause Of international
peace. Col Roosevelt said the cruise OF
the feet was powerful. The chief mate
rial advantage 20 be gained from the ca
nal construction viii oe the doubling OF
our navy by the connecting link between
the two oceans. For that reason we must
take care OF II ourselves. and we won't
Save 70 ask any other nation what
to do.
Il IS the most important work that
the government has undertaken IN years,
II, indeed, It IS not the most important. in
the opinion OF the. former President
Reception Not Noisy.
The colonel came TO Omaha this morn
/ ing expecting a great deal noisier recep-
tion than he got. There were no brass
bands playing national hymnsS no crowds
that jammed the streets; no policemen
walloping innocent spectators. and no
wild cheering. There was law and order
just what T. r. is preaching. Omaha
gave him what one might term thought
ful reception
The people OF Nebraska are with the
( colonel all right. only they are not 50
demonstrative as the Kansans, who are
positively wild-eyed. There was a dis
tinct undercUrrent OF approval that was
made manifest when the occasion was
offered. Politicians by the score locked
10 Omaha 10 whisper kind words 70 the
colonel Senator's Burkett and Brown, OF
this State, and Senator DOIliver. OF Iowa,
were on hand all day long. and they said
lots Of patriotic things about the colonel.
BUrkett. who is seeking a reelection 20
[
the exercises IN the auditorium. He laud-
ed the colonel TO the skies. This gave
T. r. the opportunity 70 boom Burkett IN
front Of a great crowd that viii carry the
news broadcast. II was interesting TO
note throughout the day that Senator
Dolliver is about as popular here as
either OF the Nebraska Senators. When
he arose in the auditorium TO respond to
the loud demand from the crowd for a
speech Dolliver was eloquent. His insur-
gent blood grew not. He placed the colo
mel In the same category with Jefferson
and Lincoln. The audience yelled and the
colonel beamed happily.
Aks-ar Ben Initiation.
In the breathing spells between speeches
and motor rides and luncheon and dinner
and an initiation by the Aks-ar-Ben.
Roosevelt had some time to-day for po-
litlcal conferences He talked the situa-
ton over with the Senator's, and he met
Gov. shallenberger and Mayor Dahlman.
OF Omaha. Each Of these men IS OF the
opinion that the coIoners trip through the
West has thus far been a triumphaI
march. They consider him the first prl-
vate citizen Of the country They re-
fused 20 say what they thought about the
talk about 1912. The consensus OF opinion
in Nebraska IS. however. that II Roose-
welt wants the nomination he can have II.
And IL he gets 1t, they think he'll be
elected without the slightest doubt.
As he passed the streets this afternoon
on his way 70 the hall. the colonel was
only mildly hailed. Most OF the popula-
ton was hanging around the doors, max
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