The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-03

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doing an interstate business; and with
this end in view the congress should en-
COW the department with large powers
which could be increased as experience
might show the need.
CUBAN RECIPROCITY.
I hope soon to submit to the senate a
reciprocity treaty with Cuba. On May
e last the United States kept Its prom
Use to the island by formally vacating
Cuban soil and turing Cuba over to
tho Sc whom her own people had chosen
as the list officials of the new republic.
Cuba lies at our doors, and whatever
affects her for good or for Ill 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
sense Cuba has become part of our
international political system. This
makes 1t necessary that in return she
should be given some of the benefits of
becoming part Of sour economic system.
1t Is, from our own standpoint a short
sighted and mischieyous policy to fail to
recognize this need. Moreover 1t is I'M
worthy of a mighty and generous ma
ton, itself the greatest and most sue
cessful republic in history, to refuse to
stretch out a helping hand to young
and weak sister republic just entering
upon its career of independence. We
should always fearlessly insist upon our
rights in the face of the strong, and we
should with ungrudging hand do our gen.
erous 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 suprem-
acy in the tropical lands and waters
south of us, but also because we, of the
great republic of the north, should make
all our sister nations of the American
continent feel that whenever they will
permit it we desire to show ourselves
disinterestedly and effectively their
friend.
RECIPROCAL TRADE.
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-
tween the United States and Newfound-
land on substantially the lines of the con-
vention formerly negotiated by the Sec
rotary of state, Mr.. Blaine. believe re-
ciprocal trade relations will be greatly
to the advantage of both countries.
ARBITRATION URGED.
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 be-
tween civilized powers; wars with unciv-
ilized powers are mere matters of inter-
national police duty, essential for the
welfare of the world Wherever possible
arbitration, or some similar method
should be employed in lieu of war to set
tie difficulties between civilized nations,
although as yet the world has not pro-
crossed 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 such
permanent tribunal than to create spe-
cial arbitrators for a given purpose.
1t is 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 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 to
others, In which not only the United
but foreign nations may take advantage
of the machinery already in existence at
the Hague.
I commend TO the favorable considera-
ton Of the congress the Hawaiian fire
claims, which were the subject of care
full investigation during the last session.
ISTHMlAN 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 Pam
anna 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 engin-
eering 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 without regard
to change of administration; and It
should be begun under circumstances