Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1902-12-02

this end in view, the congress should
endow the department with large powers.
which could be increased as experience
might show the need.
Cuban Reciprocity Treaty.
/ hope soon to submit to the senate a
reciprocity treaty with Cuba. On May
20 last the United States kept it's promise
to the island by formally vacating Cuban
soil and turning Cuba over to those whom
her own people had chosen as the first
officials of the new republic.
Cuba lies at our doors. and whatever
affects her for good or for i'll affects us
also. So much have our people felt this
that in the Plat amendment we definite
ly took the ground that Cuba must here
after have closer political relations with
us than with any other power. Thus in a
sense Cuba has become a part of our in
ternational political system. This makes
it necessary that in return she should be
given some of the benefits of becoming
part of our economic system. 1t is,
from our own standpoint, a so~rt-sighted
and mischievous policy to fail to recog-
nize this need. Moreover, 1t is I'M
worthy of a mighty and generous nation,
republic in history, to refuse to stretch
out a helping hand to a young and weak
sister republic just entering upon its ca
reer of independence. We should always
foarlessly insist upon our rights in the
face of the strong, and we should with
ungrudging hand do our generous duty by
the weak. / urge the adoption of recip-
rocity with Cuba not only because 1t is
eminently for our own interests to con-
troll the Cuban market and by every
means to foster our supremacy in the
tropical lands and waters south of us, but
also because we, of the giant republic of
the north, should make all our sister ma
lions of the American continent feel that
whenever they will permit 1t we desire to
show ourselves disinterestingly and eff
fectively their friend.
Reciprocal Trade Relations.
A convention with Great Britain has
been concluded, which will be at once laid
before the senate for ratification, provid-
ing for reciprocal trade arrangements be-
tw cen the United States and Newfound-
land on substantially the lines of the con-
v~ention formerly negotiated by the secre-
tary of state, Mr.. Blaine. 1 believe recip-
rocal trade relations will be greatly to the
advantage of both countries.
The Hague Conference.
AS civilization grows warfare becomes
less and less the normal condition of for
eign relations. The last century has seen
a marked diminution of wars between civ
ilized powers: wars with uncivilized pow
ers are largely mere matters of interna-
tional police duty. essential for the well
fare of the world. Wherever possible, ar
| hit ration or onrna rnfla 1920 l--r
be employed in lieu of war to settle diff
f~culties between civilized nations, al
though the world has not progressed suf-
ficiently to render 1t possible, or necessar-
lily desirable, to invoke arbitration in ev-
cry case. The formation of the interna-
tional tribunal which sits at The Hague
is an event of good omen from which con-
sequences for the welfare of all mankind
may flow. 1t is far better. where possi-
BILE, to invoke such a permanent tribunal
than to create special arbitrators for a
given purpose.
1t is a matter of sincere congratulation
to our country that the United States
and Mexico should have been the first to
use the good offices of The Hague court.
This was lone last summer with most
satisfactory results in the case OF a claim
at issue between us and our sister repub-
lie. 1t is earnestly to be hoped that this
first case will serve as a precedent for
others, i'm which not only the United
States but foreign nations may take ad-
vantage of the machinery already in ex-
istence at The Hague.
l commend to the favorable considera-
ton of the congress the Hawaiian fire
claims, which were the subject of careful
investigation during the last session.
lsthmian Canal Subject.
The congress has wisely provided that
we shall build at once an isthmian canal,
If possible at Panama. The attorney gem
eral reports that we can undoubtedly ac-
quire good title from the French Panama
Cana company. Negotiations are now
pending with Colombia to secure her as
sent to our building the canal. The canal
will be one of the greatest engineering
feats of the twentieth century; a greater
engineering feat than has yet been ac-
cOmplished during the history OF man
kind. The work should be carried out as
a continuing policy without regard to
change Of administration; and it should
be done under circumstances which will
make it a matter of pride for all admins
t~rations to continue the policy.
The ana will be of great benefit to
America. and of Importance TO all the
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