Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-02

that we keep true to the principles upon
which this Nation was founded, and judge
each man not as part of a class, but upon
his Individual merits. All that we have a
right to ask of any man, rich or poor. what
ever his creed. his occupation. his birth
place, or his residence. is that he shall act
well and honorably by his neighbor and by
his country. We are neither for the ricn
man as such nor for the poor man as such;
we are for the upright man. rich or poor.
So far as the constitution powers or the
National Government touch these matters
Of general and vital moment to the Nation.
they should be exercised in conformity with
the principles above set forth.
Department of Commerce.
1t Is earnestly hoped that secretary OF
commerce may be created, with seat IN
the Cabinet. The rapid multiplication OF
questions affecting labor and capital, the
growth and completely Of the organizations
through which both labor and capital now
find expression. the steady tendency toward
the employment Of capital in huge corpora
lions, and the wonderful strides OF this
country toward leadership in the interna-
tional business world justify an urgent de-
mand for the creation of such a position.
Substantially all the leading commercial
bodies in this country have united in re-
questing its creation. 1t Is desirable that
some such measure as that which has al
ready passed the Senate be enacted Into
law. The creation Of such q department
would In itself be advance toward deal
ing with and exercising supervision over
the whole subject of the great corporations
doing an Interstate business: and with 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.
1 hope soon to submit to the Senate reel
procity 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 az
fects her for good or for ill 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 relations with us than with
any other power. Thus In a sense Cuba
has become part Of our international po-
litical 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. short-sighted and mschievous
policy to fail to recognize this need More
over, 1t Is unworthy Of a mighty and gem
erous nation. itself the greatest and most
successful republic In history, to refuse to
stretch out a helping hand to a young and
weak sister republic just entering upon its
career OF independence. We should al
ways fearlessly 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 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 Conti-
nent feel that whenever they will permit 1t
we desire to show ourselves dsinterestedly
and effectively their friend.
convention with Great Britain has been
concluded, which will be at once laid be-
fore the Senate for ratification, providing
for reciprocal trade arrangements between
the United States and Newfoundland on
substantially the lines Of the convention
formerly negotiated by the Secretary of
State. Mr.. Blaine. 1 believe reciprocal
trade relations will be greatly to the ad-
vantage of both countries.
International Arbitration. ~
AS civilization grows warfare becomes
less and less the normal condition of foreign
relations. The last century has seen a
marked dimnution of wars between civil
lied powers: wars with unciviIized powers
are largely mere matters Of international
police duty, essential for the welfare Of the
world. Wherever possible. arbitration or
some similar method should be employed
in lieu of war to settle difficulties between
civilized nations. although as yet the world
has not progressed sufficiently to render 1t
possible. or necessarily desirable. to invoke
arbitration in every case. The formation of
the International tribunal which sits at The
Hague is IN event Of good omen from which
great consequences for the welfare of all
mankind may flow. Il is far better, where
possible. to invoke such a permanent tri-
bunal than to create special arbitrators for
a given purpose.
It 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
done last summer with most satisfactory
results In the case Of claim at issue be-
tween US and our sister republic It is
earnestly to be hoped that this first case
will serve as a precedent for others In
which not only the United States but for
eign nations may take advantage Of the ma
chinery already in existence at The Hague.
commend to the favorable consideration
Of the Congress the Hawaiian fire claims,
which were the subject Of careful investi-
cation during the last session.
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. Negotiations are now pending
with Colombia to secure her assent to our
building the canal. This canal will be one
Of the greatest engineering feats Of the
twentieth century; greater engineering
feat than has yet been accomplished during
the history Of mankind. The work should
be carried out as a continuing policy with
out regard to change Of administration; and
it should be begun under circumstances
til, H. - &k1.~