Arizona republican., 1916-08-01
European War. Maintenance of Ameri-
PirL+-


can Rights
in this land of composite population,
drawing its strength from every race,
| the national security demands that
| there shall be no paltering with Ameri
can rights. The greater the danger of |
decisive influences the greater is the |
necessity for the unifying force of a |
| just, strong and patriotic position. We |
! countenance no covert policies, no in |
| trigues, no secret schemes. We are
unreservedly, devotedly, whole heart |
| eddy for the United States. That is the |
rallying point for all Americans. That |
| is my position | stand for the I'M !
flinching countenance of all American
rights on land and sea.
I'VE have had "a clear and definite
mission as a great neutral nation. Ii
| was for US to maintain the integrity
of international law; it is to vindicate
our rights as neutrals; to protect the
lives of our citizens, their property and
trade from wrongful acts. Putting
| aside any question as to the highest
possibilities of moral leadership in the
maintenance and vindication of the
law of nations, in connection with the
European war, at least entitled to the
safeguarding of American rights. But
this has not been secured. We have
had brave words in a series of notes,
but despite our protests, the lives OF
Americans have been destroyed. What
does II avail to use some of the strong
est words known to diplomacy If am
bassadors can receive the impression
that the words are not to be taken
seriously? Ii is not words, but the
strength and resolution behind the
words, that count. The chief function
of diplomacy is prevention; but in this,
our diplomacy failed, doubtless be-
cause of its impaired credit and the
manifest lack OF disposition to back
= words with action. Had this govern
: ment had by the use of informal and
l formal diplomatic opportunities left
no doubt that when we said strict ac-
t countability' we meant precisely what
we said, and that we should unhesltat-
2 ingly Vindlcate that position, | am
confident that there would have been
= no destruction OF lives by the sinking
! of the Lustania. There, we had ample
/ notice, In TACT published notice. Fur
2 thermOre, we knew the situation and
I We did not require specific notice. In
r stead OF whiting away our formal
D statements by equIvOcal statements, we
D needed the straight and decisive repre-
$ sensations wnicu every diplomat and
foreign office would understand
believe that in this way we should have
f been spared the repeated assaults on
< American lives. Moreover a firm
o American policy would have been
: strongly supported by our people and
+ the opportunities for development OF
Il better feeling would have been vastly
{ reduced.
r 1t IS u great mistake t. say that
a resoiuteAoss IN protecting Americas
nights would have led to war rather
,. in tnat course lay the best assur-
It ance OF peace. eManness and indie
n eislOn IN the maintenance of known
d rights are always sources of grave
Il danger; they forfeit respect anu IN
o Ute serious wrongs, which in turn
IS create an uncomfortable popular re-
I sentiment. That is not the path OF
o national security. Not only have We
=, a host OF resources short of war by
], which 10 enforce our Just demands
n but we shall never promote our peace
e by being stronger in words than iii
n deeds. We should not have found Ill
d difficult To maintain peace but We
: should have maintained peace witt
= honor During this critical period tho
d only danger of war has lain with the
: weak course Of the administration
h Il do not place lite and property
.. on The same footing but the admin
=. istration has not only been remiss
IS with the respect to the protection OF
= American property and America
commerce. II has been too much dis
p posed TO be content with leisurely
"a discussion. | cannot undertake
re To review the course Of events, but
II it is entirely clear that we failed L
l. use the resources at our command L
: prevent injurious action, and that VIZ
n suffered in consequence We have n.
= Interior purposes. and the admins
~ tration should have known how I,
II secure the entire protection of ever,
&c legitimate American interest and tn
prompt recognition of our just de
p mands as neutral nation.
e. We denounce all plots and con
or spiracies in the interest of any for
p eign nation. Utterly intolerable i
al the use OF our soil for alien intrigue,
su Every American must unreservedl
~ condemn them and support every eff
~ fort for their suppression. But. also
ne prompt vigorous and adequate meas
Ut ures on the part of the administrator
- We're needed. There should have bees
" no hesitation: no notion that re- wa
Us wise and polite to delay Such a
. abuse of our territory demanded i'm
e mediate and thOroughgoing actor
- AS soon as the administration la
- notice of plots and conspiracies.
Is was its duty to stop. 1t was nc
"a lacking in resources. Its responsible
lu ity for their continuance cannot b
j. escaped by the condemnation of 9th
", ers.
10 Preparedness
nd We are peace loving people, bu
N we live in a world of arms We hav
bo no thought of aggression. and we de
- sire to preserve our domestic idea
+ar without the wastes of strife So Dc
~ voted are we to these ideals. so in
ne tent upon our normal development
81 that | 90 not believe that there
a., the slightest danger of militarism
- this country Adequate preparedne.
~ is not militarism 1t is the essenti;
ar surface of security. a necessary safe
oh guard of peace
,os 1T is apparent that we are shocl
a ingly unprepared. There is no roo