Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
A DEMAND ron CONSERVATISM

A DEMAND F0R CONSERVATISM =
II is uuquestiouablc that serious In
jury has been done the financial and
business interests of this country by the
attitude in which Il has recently been
placed In its International relations.
There has beer n radical departure from
the conservatism which characterized
the foreign policy of the government in
former times and the nation has i'm
paired It's claim to be regarded as stand
ing, above all other nations. for peace.
The effect has been to create n feeling
of d%lstrust. both at home and abroad,
detrimental to material progress and
prosperity.
The Venezuelan message of the presi-
dent and its approval by congress. which
for a time menaced peaceful relations
with England, caused a disturbance and
unscttling of financial conditions that
was very damaging and came close to
being calamitous. But for the prompt
action of men and organizations power
full in the financial md commercial af-
fairs OF the two countries in opposition
to the warlike spirit that was suddenly
developed there can be no doubt that n
panic would have been precipitated
from which grave consequences would
have. resulted. There has not yet been
full recovery from the effects of the
disturbance then produced, because the
Venezuela issue has not been settled
and there Is still a possibility Of further
complications in connection with it,
though no II now apprehends any
danger of wal growing out of 1t.
The Cuban question is at present in
terfcring with the restoration of finan-
cial confidence, without which business
activity is impossible. A New York dis
patch says 1t Is generally agreed that
il undue haste is shown in the matter
the markets for American securities will
suffer, while If conservatism prevails an
Improvement is sure to follow. 1t can
hardly be said that there has been IN
due haste, for this subject has been
before congress for weeks and has re-
ceived very thorough discussion. The
question is whether it would not have
been wiser, from the point of view of
our home interests, not to have taken
up the subject at all. OF if giving it
any consideration disposed of it by Il
simple expression of sympathy with
the men who are battling for Cuban
independence. If it were absolutely GER
tain that congress would go no further
than the resolutions now under con
SidpIo tjOu thprp woIld bn No raoSou fo.
apprehension or distrust, but there is
no such assurance. 1t matters little
that congress merely expresses an
opinion favorable to the recognition of
belligerent rights. So long as it takes
no action that has the force of law
that has been manifested is not alto
gether reassuring. though it has become
less aggressive than at the beginning
of the discussion. The subject should
be disposed of without further delay
and it would be well if it's further con-
sideration were put off indefinitely.
There has been far too much time
wasted by the present congress, par
ticularly by the senate, in discussing
foreign affairs to the exclusion of home
interests, and the country is tired of it.
1t is largely Il play of the politicians
which is costing the people too dearly.
If nothing can be lone to help the
treasury restore financial confidence
and improve the business of the coun-
try the sooner congress adjourns the
better.