The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-03-17
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Gem
eral Topics from
the Capital.
(From Our Regular Correspondent.)
Washington, March 10, 1911.

Washington, March 10, 1911.
During the session of Congress which
has just closed, there was incessant ora
torical strife between the jingoists who
sighted or imagined wars horrid front
across the Pacific, and the peace prophets
who predicted an area of calm with such
sponsors as the Hague Tribunal and the
Carnegie Peace Fund. The war heralds
of whom Congressman Hobson is the
arch-type, believe that we are on the
verge of war with Japan, and Hon. Hob
son even predicts that it will be precipi-
tated before another year. Those who
pipe the time of peace insist that this
arranged war scare is manly in the
interest Of contractors, the builders of
warships and Notifications, and the pur-
veyors Of munitions of war.
Congress had barely adjourned when an
army of twenty thousand men was assem-
bled on the Mexican border for what
exact purpose the administration has not
said. During the session representative
orators were slurring the army and mag
nifying our defenSeless condition. Ii was
given out that Japan could land quarter
of a million of soldiers on the Pacific
coast before we could get ten thousand
there. Well, in less than week we
have assembled completely equipped
army of twenty thousand men more than
half way on its journey TO the Pacific
slope, and there is no doubt that with the
lines of railroad at our disposal we can in
two weeks or less time place forty thou
sand men in a position to defend the
three or four sentitive points of attack on
our western litoral.
The prevailing opinion at present is
that the military demonstration of the Rio
Grande is for purpose somewhat similar
to that which precpitated the war with
Spain. We can no more tolerate the
perpetuation of guerilla war in one Span
ish country than in another on our bor-
ders. The benign despotism that has for
twenty five years or more masqueraded
as a republic in Mexico and which has
depended on one man cannot in the
natural order much longer depend, Diaz's
strong hand has plainly lost its grip.
The central government is nerveless.
Mexico is nearer to us than Cuba, as near
to us, in fact, as Canada. We have inter-
ests in that country amounting to nearly
two billions of dollars. The Rio Grande
is good place strategicaly for the army.
The time must come when we will be
able to send an army from Laredo,
Eagles Pass or Ell Paso by train direct to
the ribbon strip that we own at Panama.
Call it manifest destiny or what you
WILL there is no getting around the fact
that North America, including Canada
with Great Britain behind hes, must pro-
tect for her own safety and for the benefit
Of each and all, the Western Hemisphere.
The day before President Taft left for
the South he had long conference with
the ex-senator who before the 4th of
March was known by the journalistic pro-
lesslon as the manager of the United
States. Senator Aldrich came up from
the Southern resort where he has been
for nearly two months and had long
conference at the White House. 1t can
not be doubted that the Aldrich financial
bill was the subject of conversation. The
enactment of this bill will revolutionize
the banking system of the United States
and it is thought by sound financiers
establish the American banking industry
on a high plane and solid foundation,
making it the leading financial country Of
the world.
The travelling expenses of government
officers and employees last year amounted
to twelve millions of dollars, and Presi-
dent Taft has just sent letter to the
Secretary of the Treasury asking him to
send to the economy commission. all
travel records for the last fiscal year for
the purpose of tabulation and revision
with a view to reduction and economy.