Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-29
MISSOURI c. O.P. LEADERS
ARE HUNTING FOR ISSUES
They Get Together ut Banquet in st.
Louis as Preliminary to Cam
paign Of 1910.
SILENCE IS NOT APPROVAL
Senator Weeks Says People Are
Watchfully Waiting for Outcome
OF Wilson's Methods In Dealing
With Foreign Relations.

OF WILSON'S MetnOuS In Dealing
With Foreign Relations.
ST. LOUIS. September cS.-Rcpuhli-
can leaders from all parts Of Missouri
tonight attended the banquet given
here by tho State and st. Louis RcpCb-
lican committees AS "A preliminary to
tho campaign of 1916.
Tho principal addresses were made
by United states Senator John w.
Weeks. of Massachusetts: Congress
man James r. Mann. of Illinois. and
former Congressman james Watson, OF
Indiana
Representative Mann made q plea for
American neutrality and for proper
national defense. Let us keep out OF
the war. said he. Let us remain
neutral II is not our duty to civilizc
or govern Europe
Our highest duty is TO America.
We should use every effort TO advance
the interests. Of our own country and
our own people. with a single eye for
the advancement of American pros
pcrity. American civilization. American
industries. American morality.
While we are adopting means and
methods for our trade and industrial
development. LEI us also. i'm view OF tho
conditions of foreign lands. nut our
mouse in order 10 defend ANA protect
itself against amy foreign nation or
nations. our wealth viii soon excite
the envy. II not the cupidity. OF the
outside world
HAVE WEALTH AND MEN,
HUT NOT DitGA NIZATIOS
We have the wealth We have the
men. But we do not have the orEani-
cation, the means. the experience or
the methods sufficiently developed and
provided 10 make proper defense
against foreign foe or attack We
must provide all that is necessary for
n Z,
and completely
The highly developed modern civili-
Laton Ia liable. II not likely. TO break
down In other countries. Tho immense
Indebtedness OF foreign lands. with it's
tremendous current burdens. is almost
sure 10 bring about a revolution. If not
many national revolutions.
That there will be trouble abroad.
even after treaty OF peace between
the warning nations IS secured. seems
take the risk of not being prepared 20
defend ourselves and our rights.
II we make tho effort TO capture
tho markets OF the world. as the oppor-
tunity now offers. we must hc ready
TO defend and protect the rights Of
our citizens doing business abroad and
their property We might well begin
with Mexico. Our business and nuan-
cial interests cannot be expected 20
greatly increase our trade with other
government VIII prevent the wanton
seizure and destruction OF their prom
erty interests as we'll as their agents
and employees In other lands.
1T Is not our duty 10 reform the
whole world. but II is our duty 20
guarantee 10 American citizens whom
we invite 10 engage in foreign trade
and undertakings that so long as they
follow peaceful and legitimate pur-
suits, they will receive the attention
of he
nient and the protection OF the Ameri-
can flag.
PROBABLY 80 DANGER
or MILITARY MADNESS
But We must not become military
mad. Probably there is no danger OF
that. our form OF government and our
citizenship arc not adapted 10 military
propaganda. We may want to conquer,
the trade OF the world. but we do not
want to conquer other nations or take
other lands"
Representative Mann told inc meet
ing that a protective 'ar!G was cs-
sent!al TO AN efficient program o: ma
t!onal defense. prosperity at home and
the protection OF American capital and
labor from foreign competition. The
European conflict, e said. had DEM
onstratcd the need Of building up
American industries that the country
might have their aid I; j; ever went
TO war.
Senator Weeks said that while the
people were In n state o. watchful
patient. sympathetic and hopeful wait
Ing trying not 10 embarrass Presi-
dent Wilson in his foreign negot!a-
lions, the silence did not necessarily
mean assent TO methods that have been
adopted In the negotiations. The sue
cess or failure OF the President in the
foreign matters. Senator Weeks said.
will he the chief factor in determining
-,
the next presidential election. When
the time comes, he added, tho diplo-
matte contentious with Mexico Santo
Domingo and Haiti. will be cons !dcrcd
by the people. as we'll as the Euro
peon affairs.
The killing by Mcxicans OF Amcri-
can citizens In Mexico and on Ameri-
can soil and the destruction OF prop
erty owned by Americans in Mexico
bring out one of the numerous incou-
sistencies OF the administration" said
Senator Weeks. las a result OF the
Pan-Amcrican conference the admins
tration urged Americans TO undertake
enterprises in Central and South Amer
lean countries. Mr.. Bryan even sug-
gested an issue OF bonds to aid the
development of those countries.
SAYS 1T rs RIDICULOUS
IN FACE OF RECENT FACTS
"All OF this seems ridiculous when
we know that for the past two years
the administration has failed 10 pro-
tect Amcrican-owncd property in MeXi-
CO, telling the owners the government
could not become involved by protect
ing the property OF individuals who
had expected to make a high profit out
of their ventures.
Mr.. Weeks discussed the question of
military and naval preparedness which
will face the next Congress. and out
lined the policy the Republican party
has followed on this matter In the
past. He said tho Underwood tariff
bill had worked a hardship upon man
ufacturers of New England and other
sections without giving the people the
benefit of lower prices.
Senator Weeks. in an address before
the City Club this afternoon, said he
favored ship subsidies or mail sub
ventions to steamship lines in order to
develop an American merchant marine
He said the Seamen's act DasScd at