Gilpin observer., 1902-12-04

this kind, based upon wisdom and
upon broad and kindly sympathy be-
tween employers and employed. Above
all. we need to remember that any kind
or class a1imosity in the political
world is. If possible, even more wicked,
even more destructive to national well
fare, than sectional, race or religious
anlmos1ty. We can get good govern
ment only upon condition that we keep
| true TO the principles upon which this
nation was founded, and judge each
man not as part of class, but upon
his individual merits
All that we have a right to ask of
any man, rich or poor, whatever his
| creed, his occupation. his birthplace,
or his residence. is that he shall act
well and honorably by his neighbor and
by his country. We are neither for the
rich man as such nor for the poor man
as such; we are for the upright man.
rich or poor. So far as the constitu-
tional powers of the national govern
| ment touch these matters of general
and vital moment to the nation, they
should be exercised in conformity with
the principles above set forth
ADOPTION OF CUBAN TREATY.
] hope soon to submit to the Senate
a reciprocity treaty with Cuba. On
May 20 last the United States kept its
|
eating Cuban soil and turning Cuba
| over to those whom her own people
hue chosen as the first officials of the
rev 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 Platt amendment we
! definitely took the ground that Cuba
must hereafter have closer political re-
lations with us than with any other
| power.
Thus in sense Cuba has become
a part of our international political
system. This makes il necessary that
in return she should be given some of
economic system. It is. from our own
standpoint, a short siuhted and mis-
chievous policy to fail to recognize
this need.
Moreover 1t is unworthy of mighty
and generous nation. itself the greatest
and most successful republic in his
| tory, to refuse to stretch out a helping
hand to a young and weak sister re-
public just entering upon its career of
| independence. We should always fear
le=sly insist upon our rights in the face
| of the strong, and we should with un-
g1udging hand do our generous duty
by the weak. l urge the adoption of
reciprocity with Cuba not only because
| 1t is eminently for our own interests
to control 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 nations of the American con-
tilcnt feel that whenever they will
permit it we desire to show ourselves
disinterestedly and effectively their
| friend.
THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL.
AS civilizationT grows warfare be-
| comes less and less the normal condi-
t!on of foreign relations. The last cen.
| tury has seen a marked diminution OF
wars between civilized powers; wars
| with uncivilized powers are largely
mere matters of international policy
duty. essential for the welfare of the
| world. Wherever possible, arbitration
or some similar method should be en-
ployed in lieu of war to settle difficult
ties between civilized nations. although
as vet the world has not progressed
sufficiently to render 1t possible, or
necessarily desirable, to invoke arbi-
tration in every case. The formation
of the international tribunal which sits
at The Hague is an event of good omen
| from. which great consequences for the
welfare of all mankind may flow. 1t is
far better. where possible. to invoke
s,ich n permanent tribunal than to
create special arbitrators for given
purpose.
Ii is a matter of sincere congratula-
ton to our country that the United
the first to use the good offices OF The
Hague Court. This was done last sum-
mer with most satisfactory results In
the case of a claim at issue between
us and our sister republic. 1t is earn
estly to be hoped that this first case
vii, serve as a precedent for others
in which not only the United States
but foreign nations may take advant-
age OF the machinery already in exist
enoe at The Hague.
THE ISTHMIAN CANAL.
The Congress has wisely provided
that we shall build at once an isthmian
| canal. if possible at Panama. The
attorney general reports that we can
undoubtedly acquire good title from the
French Panama canal company Ne
gotiaticns are now pending with CO.
lombia to secure her assent to our
building the canal. This canal VIII
be one of the greatest engineering
feats of the twentieth century; a
greater engineering feat than has yet
been accomplished during the history
of mankind. The work should be car
ried out as continuing. policy with
out regard to change of administra-
ton; and it should be begun under cir
cumstances which will make it n mat
ter of pride for all administrations to
continue the policy.
The canal will be of great benefit to
America, and of Importance to all the
world 1t will be of advantage to us
industrially and also as improving our
military position. 1t VIII be OF ad-
vantage to the countries of tropical
America 1t is earnestly to be hoped
that all of these countries will do as
some of them have already done with
signal success. and will invite to their
| shores commerce and improve their
material conditions by recognizing that
stability and order are the prerequisites
of successful development. No inde-
pendent nation in America need have
the slightest fear of aggression from
the United States. 1t behooves each
one to maintain order within its own
, borders and to discharge it's just obli-
, cations to foreigners. When this is
done, they can rest assured that. be
. they strong or weak. they have moth
ing to dread from outside interference