The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-06-17
Preparedness

| Along Win tne PROOF OF our CndT
acter as a nation. must go the proc
of our power 20 play the part thai
legitimately belongs TO US. The peo
pie Of the United States love peace
They respect the rights and cove'
the friendship OF all other nations
They desire neither any additional
territory nor any advantage which
cannot be peacefully gained by their
skill. their industry or their enter
prise; but they insist upon having
absolute freedom OF national life and
policy. and feel that they owe II 10
themselves and TO the role or spirit
ed independence which II Is their
sole ambition 20 play, but they
should render themselves secure
against the hazard OF interference
from any quarter and should be able
10 protect their rights upon the seas
or in any part of the world. We
therefore, favor the maintenance or
an army fully adequate 10 the re-
quirements Of order. OF safety and
OF the protection OF the nation s
rights; the fullest development OF
modern methods OF seacoast defense
and the maintenance OF an adequate
reserve OF citizens trained 10 arms
and prepared 10 safeguard the PEG
ple and territory OF the United
States against any danger OF hostile
action which may Unexpectedly
arise; and a fixed policy for the
continuous development OF a navy
worthy to support the great naval
traditions OF this nation and fully
equal TO the international tasks
which the United States hopes and
expects to take part In performing.
The plans and enactments OF the
present congress afford substantial
proof OF our purpose in this exigent
matter.
international Relations
The Democratic m'.istration has
throughout the present war. scrupu-
lousy and successfully held 20 the
old paths OF neutrality and 20 ohe
fects OF our national life. which
q ali parties em ane srsefs
America since the beginning OF our
the last two years have revealed ne
cessities OF international action
which no former generation can have
foreseen- We hold that " Is tne
power. not only to make itself safe
At home but also 20 make secure its
Just interests throughout the world,
and, both for this end and In the IN
terest OF humanity. TO assist the
world In securing settled peace and
Justice. We believe that every people
has the right to choose the sovereign
ty under which II shall live; that the
right to enjoy from other nations
the same respect for their sovereign
~ and for their territorial Integrity
that great and powerful nations ex-
pect ard insist upon: and that the
world has a right TO be free from
every distur bance OF Its peace that
has it's origin In aggression or dlsre-
gard of the rights OF peoples ana ma
lions; and we believe that the time
has come when II Is the duty OF the
United states 20 join with the other
nations OF the world in any feasiole
association that Will effectively serve
those principles TO maintain inVioIate
the complete security OF the highway
of the seas for the common and I'M
hlndered use Of all nations
The present administration has
consistently sought to act upon and
realize In its conduct or the foreign
affairs Of the nation the principle
that should be the object OF any as
ISOLATION and the nations formed 70
secure the peace or the world and
the maintenance OF national and In
dividual rights. II has followed the
highest American traditions. IL has
preferred respect for the fundamen-
property interests and has secured
the friendship of the people OF these
states for the United States by re-
fusing TO make more material In
terest an excuse for the assertion OF
our superior power against the dig
nifty Of their sovereign independence.
II has regarded the lives of 10 citi-
Gems and the claims OF humanity as
of greater moment than material
rights. and peace as the best basis
for the Just settlement OF commercial
claims. IL has made the honor and
ideals Of the United States its stand
ard alike In negotiation and action.
Pan-Amerfcan Concord
We commend the action OF the
Democratic administration in hold
ing the Pan-American financial con-
ference at Washington In May. 1915,
and organizing the International
High commission. which represent
ed the United States In the recent
meeting OF representatives OF the
Latin american republics, at Buenos
| Aires, in April. 1916. which have so
greatly promoted the friendly rela-
lions between the people Of the
western hemisphere.
Mexico.
! The Monroe doctrine 10 re-asserted
as a principle Of Democratic faith.
republics OF the two Americas agains;
| aggression from another continent
II Implies. as we'll. the most scrupu-
lous regard upon our part for thu
court their good will. We seek not
| 10 despoil them.
| The want of a stable. responsible,
i government In Mexico. capable of re.
and bandit bands. who have not oni,
taken the. lives and seized and de.
stroyed the property OF American
| citizens In that country. but have
war upon and murdered our peopl,
| thereon. has rendered IL necessary e
temporarily occupy by our aImet
forces q portion OF the territory Of
restoration Of law and order therein
q repetition OF such incur sions IL I'M
probable. the necessity for their re-
naming will continue. they. must re:
does military subtusstion Is revolt
States. notwitRstsndins the proves,
ton 10 that course has been great.
only as a last resort The stubborn
resistance Of the president and his
advisers TO every demand and sug-
gestion TO enter upon II Is creditabie
alike 20 them and to the people in
whose name he speaks
Merchant marine.
Immediate provision should be
made for the development OF the car
rying trade OF the United states Our
| foreign commerce has In the past
been subject 20 many unnecessary