The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-28
Continued from Page ID

cess and high achievement in every
thing that adds to national wealth,
power. energy and enterprise. These
nations will not remain inactive or
despondent or Indifferent. We shall
see the most active and persistent ef-
forts to rebuild and extend and to
succeed in the international race for
supremacy that the world has ever
witnessed. From adversely Will
come greater prosperity than ever
before. From necessity will spring
through and study and effort that
will enable the survivors to reach
greater heights of success than ever
before supposed to be within the
reach of human kind.3 The peoples
of all the different countries, suf-
fering in their thoughts of the past,
will be inspired to greater eXertions
in their efforts for the future. 1t is
not too much to believe that, after
the close of the war, there will be
feeling almost universal that there
must be established and maintained
court of arbitration-simple, COM
prehensive, effective and permanent
that will secure the adjustment
of all future differences without any
protracted or general contest by
armed forces. A majority of the ma
tions will, to use an ordinary para
dox. Secure and maintain peace if
they have to fight for it,
Now what should the United
States prepare for? If we conduct
our affairs PROPERLY if we make the
most of our opportunities, if we CO.
operate with one another, if the
government and governmental agen-
cies and the business people are al
lies one with the other, we shall be-
come stronger and richer and more
potential in our influence, and We
shall be able to occupy position In
the van of nations, progressing to-
ward results more satisfactory than
ever before. made the statement
long before the war, and i have made
it since, that we might become the
leading nation in finance, commerce
and industry. l have recently read
statements by able financiers that
we already occupy this position. !
do not quite agree with this claim,
notwithstanding what has occur
red in Europe during the last year;
that is. ] do not think we are thus
permanently established; but it
seems certain that we may occupy
this position if we properly conserve
our resources We may hold either
a primary or secondary place. de-
pending upon the wisdom, energy
and discretion of our people. Much
depends upon our management OF
affairs. There has never in the his
tory of the world been so great a
necessity for wise and disinterested
craftsmanship or for loyal and hon
orable conduct on the part of the
practical business men as at pres
ent. VIII we do our part? Are we
ready to devote our time, our atten'
ton and our energies in the perform
ance of our patriotic duty?
We Must Maintain Our Neutrality
In connection with this subject, II
is natural to consider the question
of neutrality on the part of our ma
ton towards each of the belligerent
nations. Probably all of us vii
agree that, up to the present time
the attitude of the President witt
respect to this question has been ad
mirable. He has shown himself tt
be true patriot and wise states
man. In my opinion, the United
States has not been called upon t.
do or to say anything with refer
ence to the war or any of the parti
cipants which has not been said o.
done. Every duty devolving upor
the United States has been perform
ed. We may have sympathies o
prejudices or notions concerninl
SPECIFIC dclS UT tApItsSiOHo oh III
part of some or many of the foreigl
nations, but, in my judgment, the
have not required and do not re
quire any act or expression on on
part which has not been done o
made. VIE have fulfilled every oh
legation imposed upon us by any o
all treaties or agreements expresse
or implied. When the question
which have been discussed and tn
final logical conclusion shall hav
been reached in the light of all tn
evidence. including the full histor
of the transactions involved, | thin
it will be found the above statemer
is fully justified. 1t is to be hope'
and | think we may expect, tn;
nothing will occur to disturb the il
ternational relations existing at II
present time between the Unite
Stats and each of the foreign nj
tons 1t is unthinkable that "