The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-24
LINCOLN A MODEL
The President Devotes Much Time
to the Study Of Nicolay and
Hays Life.
Reasons Why Roosevelt May Ge
Against Cabinet Opinion and
Agree, to Arbitrate.

New York Sun Special Service.
Chicago. Dec. 24.--William E. Curtis in
a Washington special to the Record Her
aid says: While no definite answer has
yet been given, 1t is about decided that
President Roosevelt will yield VI to the
wishes of Germany and England and arbi-
trate the Venezuela difficulties, but two
or three conditions must be settled first
He will accept this responsibility against
the Judgment Of a majority of his cabinet
and the oldest senators on ~both sides Of
the chamber. but feels confident Of the
wisdom Of his decision.
President Lincoln is tRoosevelt's model.
He studies! Lineoln's policy and methods
of administration more than those Of any
other of his predecessors. He has
set Of Nicolay and Hays Life of Lincoln
beside his desk, and frequently dips into
one or another OF the volumes for inspir->
alton and light. Some of the conferences
between Lincoln and his cabinet over
emancipation and other grave issues of
the war are so familiar to him that he
can repeat them almost from memory.
He is equally familiar with the diaries
of Chase, Bates Welles and other mem
bers of the Lincoln cabinet, and knows
that it was seldom unanimous or even
harmonious upon any subject. Lincoln
acted against the advice of his cabinet
and the prominent senators Of the republic
can party more frequently than any other
president, and his decisions We're usually
accurate and wise. Perhaps Roosevelt
bears that historical fact in mind, al.
though no president was ever so eager
to obtain the views and the advice Of the
other members of the government.
The reasons which actuate President
Roosevelt in deciding to arbitrater the
Venezuelan controversy are:
First-Nobody knows but The Hague
| tribunal might punch a hole in the Mon
roe doctrine and deny the right Of the
United States to supervise the affairs Of
the American hemisphere. This is not
| probable, but possible. Any tribunal at
The Hague would be entirely European
and monarchical in Its sympathies.
Second-The proceedings of The Hague
tribunal would be long. tedious and ex-
l|pensive and the European powers would
insist upon preserving the statu quo in
Venezuela until a decision was reached,
| which might be a year or two years
| hence. whereas, if the president CT the
| United States Is arbitrator, the blockade
will be raised, they will send their fleets
away and commerce may be resumed at
once. T. 5' .. - ~ s.; q.
Third-The powers object seriously al
though they do not actually refuse to SUBJ
nit to arbitration by The Hague tribunal
and will not consent to it unless it is in
sisted upon by the government of the
| United States. If our government should
insist we would be morally responsible
for any failure or trouble that might en-
sue, and if Venezuela should refuse to
recognize the justice of the decision and
object to paying the award, we would be
compelled to persuade her to to 80, no
matter what our own opinion of the YER
| dict might be. g. 49,. }..Z:s a.; /
| Fourth-Venezuea> fears The Hague
| tribunal and will not submit to it unless
| compelled to do so by the United States.
If we force Venezuela before The Hague
tribunal, we should be responsible TOR the
consequences, not only 80 far as that gov
eminent Is concerned, but for the effect
upon all OF the Latip-American republics.
| - .Ftfth-If President Roosevelt consents
to act as arbiter, he keeps the contro
versy in his own. hands; 1t continues to
be a purely American question; it con-
firms the right of the United States to
judge between the other American re-
publics and, the European powers and the
dispute remains in the family Of repub-
lies instead of being thrown into monar-
chical influences. ~ r. ~ :
| sixth-An important precedent will be
Established. -~3j -, sis .-ta.. :
| Seventh-AH Of the other American re-
lpublics are extremely anxious that Presi-
dent Roosevelt should accept the respon-
sibility. They lack confidence in The
Hague tribunal, and IL he should force
the controversy to go there for decision
they would hold him quite as much re-
sponsible for. the verdict as II he should
Irender it himself. -.s.z. e.. III. ~ y.
Observation-Disclosures, as the United States
will be held responsible for the outcome
of the arbitration by European powers
and by the American republics, no matter
what happens, the president thinks It wise
and prudent to keep the matter in oul
hands.