The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-03-17
Senator Reeds
Strong Position
On the Nations Foreign Pol
icy, Neutrality and
Preparedness

! ~ upOh buC oupIcCO VI fiOldtlOHS VI
international law by the European
belligerent nations, American neu-
trality, preparedness, he ably defend
ed the position of President Wilson's
administration. The speech is too
lengthy for our columns, but the fol-
lowing succinct epitome gives the
Senator's position on these engross-
ing subjects:
Our Foreign Policy
Our nation is hampered in its for
eign policy by three classes of citi-
zens:
First. A small percentage of our
foreign-born citizens who are more
attached to the land of their birth
than to the land which gave them lib
erty, education, and opportunity for
advancement. However, these ex-
tremists do not at all represent the
great body of our foreign-born popu-
lation, who have steadfastly remain
ed loyal.
Second. Advocates of "peace at
any price," This doctrine makes for
war, not for peace. Once we are re-
garded as a nation of towards we will
be compelled to fight for existence.
Third. Demagogues who are will
ing to embroil us in a foreign war if
they can thereby gain temporary po-
litical advantage.
Preparedness.
We should approach the considera-
ton of preparedness calmly, dispas-
sionately, and deliberately. There is
no occasion for hysteria or panic or
for that haste which is begotten of
fear.
AS long as the European war lasts
the Central powers cannot get to us,
because the allies have enmeshed them
in net of steel.
The allies cannot withdraw their
fleets to use against US, for in that
event, Germany's feet would destroy
their commerce and ravish their
coasts.
Japan could not land an army here.
Her feet is inferior to that of the
United States.
We have abundance of time to de-
velop plan under which this govern
ment can achieve a position so power
full as to Withstand all assaults.
Citizen Soldiers
This country must depend upon the
ability of its citizens to defend them
selves rather than upon a profession
al military class. l am opposed to the
establishment of the great military
class or a great standing army. We
must place our citizens in such con-
dition that they can meet, if need be,
on fairly equal terms the profession
al soldiers of Europe.
American Neutrality
! Our government has maintained a
strict neutrality.
The allies have violated our rights |
by selling our goods and destroying
our shipping. The Germans have sent |
hundreds of our citizens to the oceans
bottom.
Germany has admitted her guilt |
and substantially conceded that the
United States was right in every con-
tention.
You can trust President Wilson to |
continue powerful, forceful, and even
threateningly, to urge our claims
against the allies. Why should any
American citizen complain because
we have pressed the death claims
more vigorously than the property
claims?
The United States does not prevent
Germany buying goods or munitions
here. She is still free to buy, but
England prevents her from taking
them across the ocean.
Our German-American Citizens
Germany has always been our
friend. She was friendly toward us
when our nation was engulfed in the
great Civil War. We have thousands
of German and Austrian citizens.
They are law-abiding, God-fearing,
Industrious, frugal and patriotic.
Wholesale aspersions upon them are
without justification or excuse.
We Must Stand United
If we are to escape the manifold
dangers that now surround us and
triumphant it is essential that
the world should be given to know
that back of the demands of the Pres
ident there is massed 100,000,O00 10y
al people ready to sacrifice the last
drop of blood and the last dollar Of
money to vindicate national rights and
honor.