President. at the moment I addressed the Chair I was looking over a copy of one of the morning daily newspapers of Washington. I was endeavoring to locate an article which had been brought to my attention this morning by a friend in reference to some of our troops having been withdrawn from Chinese territory. I was interested in that article because I have repeatedly stated at various times within the past 2 months. throughout the United States. that I was of the opinion that we should withdraw our gunboats and soldiers from oriental waters and Asiatic soil. I was a bit fearful that we might become involved in war if another battleship Maine incident should occur anywhere in those waters. Mr.