The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-03-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.

During the session of Congress which
has just closed, there was incessant
oratorical strife between the jingoists who
sighted or imagined wars horrid front
across the Pacific, and the peace prophets
who predicted an era Of calm with such
sponsors as the Hague Tribunal aud the
Carnegie Peace Fund. The war l1eralds,
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 ar
ranged war scare is mainly in the interest
Of contractors, the builders Of warships
and Notifications, and the purveyors Of
munitions Of war.
~
Congress bad barely adjourned when
an army of twenty thousand men was
assembled on the Mexican border for
what exact purpose the administration
has not said. During The session repre-.
sentative. orators were slurring the army
and magnifying our defenseless condition
It was given out that Japan could land a
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 10 the
Pacific slope, and there is no doubt that
With the lines ofrailroad at our disposal
we can in two weeks or less time place
forty thousand men in position to de-
fend the three or four sensitive points of
attack on our western littoral.
N.
The prevailing opinion at present is
that the military demonstration Of the
Rio Grande is for purpose somewh at
similar to thar which precipitated the war
with Spain. We can no more tolerate
the perpetuation Of guerilla war in one
Spanish country than in another on our
borders. 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 nerve.
less. Mexico is nearer to us than Cuba.
as near to Us. in fact as Canada. We
have interests in that country amounting
TO nearly two billions OF dollars. The
Rio Grande is good place strategically
for the army The time must come when
We will be able to send an army from
Laredo, Eagles Pass or FL Paso by train
direct to the ribbon strip that we own at
Panama. Call 1t manifest destiuy'' or
what You will, there is no getting arouad
the fact that North America, including
Canada with grea. Britain behind her.
must protect 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
ex-senator who before the 4th of March
was known by the journalistic profession
as the manager Of the United States
Senator Aldrich came up from the
southern resort where be has been for
nearly two months and had long con-
ference at the White House. 1t cannot
be doubted tat the Aldrich financial bill
was the subject of conversation The
enactment Of this bill will revolution
ize the banking system, OF the United
States and ii is thought by sound fuau
ciers establish the American banking in
dustry on high plane and solid founda
ton. 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.
Cha nges In Anti-SaIoon League.
The Anti-Saloon League of Maryland
announces the appointment of Rev.