The Washington times., 1902-09-01
Prime Minister Barton Be-
lleves President All
Powerful
WOULD CALL A CONFERENCE
Thinks Capitalists Would Not Dare
Turn Down Summons of Nations
Chief Executive = Public Opinion
Would Crush Them If They Did.

Prior to his departure from the CITY
last night. after two days of sightsee-
ing, Right Hon. Sir Edmond Barton. the
prime minister of Australia and active
leader in the formation OF the present
federation, expressed himself at some
length upon the problems that are now
confronting this country. He stated
that naturally In the few days that he
had been upon American soil he had mad
but little opportunity to see mach for
himself, but that he had always been
deeply interested in the progress Of the
country and had tried to keep posted
on all that was being done in Govern
ment circles.
He believes that 1t Is within the
power of the President, through the
exercise of his good Offices. to end the
coal strike; that IL Australian methods
were pursued the trusts could be crush
ed with but little delay; that the call
ing out of the military arm of the Gov
ernment to quell civil disturbances is
the adoption of clause such as he pro-
poses to offer as an amendment to the
Australian tariff upon his return home
would relieve protective measures Of
many of their most damaging features
Sir Edmond believes that the Consti
in but one thing to insure its perfection.
That thing is the lack of fiexibility to
the will of the people. In his country
such a thing as ministry's conduct of
affairs in opposition to public sentiment
is unheard of as the ministry would be
compelled to resign and give way to
those who would carry out the will of
the people.
Compared With Thugs.
Respecting the coal situation, he
said: 1T seems Incredible that in a
great country like this it should be
possible for comparative handful of
people to subject $4,000, 900 people to
the inconvenience and suffering that is
now staring your people in the face dur
ing the coming winter.
There is not much preference be-
tween starving one to death and freez-
ing one to death The final result is
the same. II a man were to come up
behind you and shoot you he would be
hung. Yet he would be humane in COM
parison with these who are depriving
your citizens of the necessary warmth
IF President Roosevelt would invite
representatives of the contending fac
tions to meet him, in his private par
lor and lay the situation before him
kI,t 70 uhn or
refusal. as the power of public opin-
| ion would soon crush them. On the
other hand. as a disinterested party and
| the Executive of your country, what
| ever recommendation he might make
would be respected for the same reason
| and the strike would be brought TO a
speedy end.
II believe that a mistake is made in
calling out the military arm OF the
Government to quell disturbances, as it
! lessons the respect of the citizens for
the civil power. In Australia. during a
| big strike in the mining regions, the
civil officers informed me that the situ-
alton was beyond their control, and
asked for the troops. | directed them
to swear in as many deputies as they
needed and to call on the adjoining
cities and towns for trained officers.
lhey uiu So, put SUN caiieu loF the
troCcs.
| Il instructed them to cell every peace
officer from Melbourne and Sydney, and
| would replace them with deputies.
This force, all armed with carbines. was
effective. crushed the idea that there
could be any civil disturbance that
could get beyond the control of the
civil powers, and there has been no
| trouble since.
Trusts in Australia.
"The trust question in this country Is
a very different one from the combna.
tions for the restraint of trade in Aus
tralia. but here as there. I believe thai
no statute Is necessary. and that prose
cutions under the English common Law