The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-22

changed, and national ambitions and
rivalries, stimulated by greater prizes,
are more intense and perhaps more
explosive than ever before. Whatever
be the future prospects of the human
race, we have not yet reached that
stage of rational and moral develop
ment in which justice, righteousness
and public law can dispense with the
sanctions of physical force.
1T is a painful situation for Amer
lea, dedicated as she is to peaceful
industry, democratic government, and
the promotion of the general welfare
War is a contradiction of these high
aims. Yet there is no Salnsaylng
the truth of Washington's words: II
we want to secure peace we must be
at all times ready for war Indeed
tie saying is truer now than ever be
fore. For war today is conducted on
such a colossal scale, and makes use
of such a vast a multiform organl-
zation of economic and industrial as
well as military instrumentalities, that
nation unprepared to defend itself
might easily be subjugated before it
had time to organize its resources
and bring its armies into action. Could
Washington, therefore, speak to US
today he would more fervently than
ever implore his countrymen to pro-
vide an adequate national army, to
prescribe universal military training
for our young men, and to organize
thoroly in time of peace all the eco
nomic, industrial, and military forces
which in time of war would be neces-
sary for the defense of the nation.
As to ''Entaneling Alliances"
II want to consider, in the last
place, Washington's conception OF the
relation of the United States to other
nations in any form of league or alli-
ance or concert, or Gf you prefer the
more modern language in any klnd
of international alliance
washington described the policy
of his administration in a letter
which he wrote to Gouveneur Morris
in December. 1875. My pollcy' ne
says, has been, and will continue to
be, while L have the honor to remain
in the administration of the govern
ment, to be upon friendly terms with,
but independent of, all the nations OF
the earth; to share in the broils of
none; to fulfil our own engagements;
to supply the wants and be carried for
them all; being thoroly convinced that
it is our policy and interest to do so.
The same rule of conduct in regard
to foreign nations he commends as a
permanent policy in the Farewell Ad-
dress Let us extend our commercial
relations with them, but have as little
political connection as possible. Here
is the classic passage:
=
terests, which to us have none, or a
very remote relation. Hence she must
be engaged in frequent controversies,
the causes of which are essentially
foreign to our concerns. Hence,
therefore, it must be unwise in us to
implicate ourselves, by artificial ties
in the ordinary VicisSitudes of her
politics, or the ordinary combinations
and collisions of her friendships, or
enmities.
"'Our detached and distant situa-
ton invites and enables us to pursue
a different course.
Why forego the advantage of so
peculiar a situation? Why quit our
own to stand upon foreign ground ?
Why, by Interviewing our destiny with
that of any part of Europe, entangle
our peace and prosperity in the tolls
of European ambition, rivalship, in
terest, humor or caprice?
lis our true policy to steer clear
of permanent alliances with any por-
ton of the foreign world