The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-02
ANNUAL ADDRESS.

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which look to them for early treat
ment In the future because the nst
n long, very long. and would surfer
In the abbreviation to which l should
have TO subject it. l shall submit to
you the reports of the heads Of the
several departments, in which these
subjects are set forth in careful detail
and beg that they may receive tne
thoughtful attention Of your commlt-
tees and Of all members Of the con
gre:s who may have , the , Ie,Sor
as constituting the very substance OF
the business Of the government, makes
comment and emphasis on my part
unnecessary.
The country, am thankful to say,
IL at peace with all the wofiu. an. nu
many happy manifestations noaiupiy
about us of q growing cordialty anu
aeuse of community Of interest among
the nations, foreshadowing an age OF
settled peace and good will. more anu
more readily each decade do the ma
lions manifest their wilnnenesst -
bind themselves by solemn treaty 70
the processes of peace. the processes OF
Frankness and fair concession. so far
fhe United states has stood at the trent
of such negotiations. she VIII 1
earnestly hope and confidently peneve'
give fresh proof OF her sincere aune
ence to the cause OF internationa,
friendship by ratifying the severai
freaties Of arbitration awaiting re-
newal by the senate. In adoitlon 20
these. 1t has been the privilege OF tne
department of state to gain the assem-
representine four-fifths Of the popu-
iation of the world. to the negotiation
Of treaties by which it shall be agreed
that wheneyer differences OF interest,"
or Of policy arise which can not DC
resolved by the ordinary processes Oh
1iiniomacy they shall be publicly ana
ivsed discussed, and reported upon by
n tribunal chosen by the parties before
either nation determines its course Oh
There IL only one possible standard
nv which to determine controversies
between the United States ana othef
nations, and that is compounded OF
the.e two elements! Our own honor
ana our obligations to the peace OF
fhe world. A test 80 compounded
ought easily to be made to govern
both the establishment OF new treaty
and the Interpretation OF
those already assumed.
Mexican Situation.
There IL but one cloud upon OAR
horizon. That has shown Itself I"
the south of us, and hangs over Mex
leo. There can be no certain prospect.
Of peace in America until Gen. Huerta
has surrendered his usurped author
ity in Mexico; until 1t Is understood
ON all hands, indeed, that such pre-
tended governments will not be coun-
or dealt with by the govern
ment Of the United States. We are
the friends of constitutional govern
ment In America: we are more than
It's friends, we are its champions; be-
cause in no other way can our neigh
bors. to whom we would wish In ev-
cry way to make proof of our friend
ship. work out their own development
in peace and liberty. Mexico has no
The attempt to main
tain one at the City Of Mexico has
broken down, and a mere military
despotism has been set up which has
hardly more than the semblance OF
national authority. 1t originated In
the usurpation of Victoriano Huerta,
who, after a brief attempt to play
the part of constitutional president.
has at last cast side even the pretense
of legal right and declared himself
dictator. AS a consequence, condi-
ton Of affairs now exists in Mexico
which has made it doubtful whether
even the most elementary and funda-
mental rights either of her own peo-
ple or of the citizens OF other coun-
tries resident within her territory can
long be successfully safeguarded. aud
which threatens. II long continued. to
imperil the interests of peace, order
and tolerable life in the lands imme-
diately south of US. Even II the
usurper had succeeded in his pur-
poses, in despite of the constitution
of the republic and the rights of its
people. he would have set up nothing
but a precarious and hateful power.
which could have lasted but little
while, and whose eventual downfall!
would have left the country in a more
deplorable condition than ever. But
he has not succeeded. He has for
feited the respect and the moral sup
port even Of those who were at one
time willing to see him succeed. Lit
tie by little he has been completely
isolated. By a little every day his
power and prestige are crumbling and
the collapse Is not far away We
shall not, I believe, be obliged to alter
our policy Of watchful waiting. And
then. when the end comes, we shall
hope to see constitutional order re-
stored in distressed Mexico by the
concert and energy of such of her
leaders as prefer the liberty of their
people to their own ambitions.
Domestic Matters.
turn to matters Of domestic con-
corn. You already have under con-
sideration a bill for the reform of our
system Of banking and currency, for
which the country waits with impa-
t1ence, as for something fundamental
to it's whole business life and neces-
sary to set credit free from arbitrary
and artificial restraints. 1 need not
say how earnestly hope for it's early
enactment into law. take leave to
beg that the whole energy and atten-
ton of the senate be concentrated
upon 1t till the matter is successfully
disposed Of. And yet 1 feel that the
request il not needed-that the mem
bers Of that great house need no urg-
ing in this service to the country.
present to you. in addition, the
urgent necessity that special pro-
vision be made also for facilitating the
credits needed by the farmers of the
does the farmers q great service 1t