The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-25

all within the well-settled boundaries
] of fully established nations.
From Canada and Alaska to Pata-
gonna, from Quebec, Montreal and Win
nipeg to Rio Janeiro, Montevideo,
Buenos Ayres and Valparaiso, the lead
| ing countries and cities are held, and
have been built up by, peoples, differ
ing in important respects each from the
others, it is true, but sundered by no
such CULTS as those which lie between
the countries and capitals of Asia and
Africa and those of Europe-indeed, not
even by such CULTS as separate certain
of the European countries from one an
other.
I'm consequence, there is a far better
chance here than elsewhere to work out
some scheme of common international
conduct which shall guarantee to every
nation freedom from molestatfon by
others so long as its own skirts are
free from wrong doing, and SO long as
it does not itself sink into a condition
of mere impotent anarchy. There are
two sides to consider: First, our COM
mon attitude towards the Old World
powers; and, second, our relations
among ourselves.
Less than century and a half have
passed since the entire western hemis-
phere was held in real or titular pos
time the fate and ownership of the
American colonies depended on the out
come of wars between nations across
the seas. AS late as a century ago this
condition still obtained as regards all
American countries except my own.
and that was less than half it's present
size, and OF not a tenth it's present
strength.
The Monroe Doctrine.
,frfAc, Of
Latin America had likewise achieved
independence; but it was still a pre-
carious independence, and there was
still likelihood that some one of the
great military European nations would
re-establish itself as an American
power at the expense of one or more
of the struggling infant nationalities.
At that time the United States was
still the only American nation able to
secure any hearing whatever in Eu-
rope, and even the United States could
secure only scant and impatient
hearing. Now there are several
American nations, prominent among
which is your own, who can secure
respectful hearing anywhere in the
world. These American nations, such
as Brazil and the United States, stand
on an absolute footing of equality.
One cardinal doctrine on which we
all agree is that America shall not
be treated as offering ground for fresh
ment by any old world power. This is
a doctrine of vital concern to all the
nations of America; for it would be
a calamity to all if any great military
nation of the old world obtained a
foothold here; such an event would,
in the end, force us all, under penalty
of loss of our own independence, our
selves to become military powers and
to plunge this continent back into old
world conditions of armed rivalry.
<0ff I,0 L,
are sufficiently advanced, such as Bra
I'll and the United States, should par
ticipate on an absolute equality in the
and development of
this doctrine, as far as the interests
Of the western hemisphere as a whole
are concerned. 1t must be made a
and not a uni-lateral doc
-rine. 1t should be treated as already
such, as far as concerns all American
nations sufficiently advanced in sta
is, all of our nations
stable and orderly not to |
invite, and strong enough to repel old |
world aggression. Both Brazil and |
he United States have reached this |
point; and so have various other |
American nations.
SO much for the common interest |
II all our commemorative in the face |
If non-American powers. No less vital |
s the matter of our own behavior to-
wards these non-American powers.
The Panama Canal.
THE relations of the northern and
he southern continents of the western
hemisphere are certain to become
much closer in the future. The open
ng OF the Panama canal will itself
markedly help to make them closer;
nd great though the benefit of the
anal will be to our own country, L /
'elieve that they will be if anything
ven greater to the countries of South
america. I wish to see the trade be-
Ween the United States and all South
american countries increase; and in
UGH intercourse the first essential is
ne ability to inspire confidence.
therefore, from every standpoint L
'elleve that the United States should
crupuIouSly so act as to inspire con-
ldence in her fellow republics. 1t is
or this reason 1 feel a peculiar ma
lonal pride in our having twice with
rawn from Cuba, and having inter
ened in San Domingo purely for San
)omingo's advantage
There is no brighter chapter in our
history than that which tells of these
ctions. The United States does not
7ish the territory of it's neighbors It
oes WISH their confidence. If ever,
s regards any country, Intervention
oeS unfortunately become necessary
nope that wherever possible 1t will ,
q joint Intervention by such powers
s Brazil and the United States, with {
ut thought of the selfish aggrandize-
nent of any of them, and for the
ommon good of the western world.
Right and Duty. |:
with every right there must ALWAYS
o hand in hand a duty; and no man and
o nation can permanently enioy the ,
light If he or it shirks the duty. with ,
very privilege there must go the re-
of exercising the privilege
right. Every American CONFERENCE.-The
bound as a matter of honorable obIi-
alton to behave fairly towards its sis
or commemorative; and this is an i'm
disability if it does not keep order and {
nforce justice within it's own borders
Among civilized nations 1t is a general {
Though not a universal rule that ability | /