The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-12-12
New York Tribune.

Robert Stein of the United States
Geographical survey at Washington
writes as follows:
The advocates Of the Nicaragua
route seem to be preparing for a last
rally. The continued advocacy of the
Nicaragua route at the present stage
involves not merely a decided impoli-
cy, but also an injury to the nation
with whom we have especial reasons
at the present moment to be on friend
ly terms, for the sake of a movement
which promises the greatest benefits
to all mankind.
The fact is this: If Nicaragua be
chosen, the French nation will lose
$4O.OOO,OOO.
policy by considerations for the finan-
cial benefit of other nations. At the
same time, such considerations may
we'll be allowed some weight in cases
where the arguments of self-intereSt
are about equally balanced.
The reason is that France, having
for LA years been the leader Of hui
manity toward liberty and equality
is now devoting her attention to the
third part Of her original program
fraternity among nations Hence
all well-wishers Of that noblest OF
causes must desire her prosperity
both as a. reward for her generous
endeavor and as an encouragement to
further effort. Without undertaking
the labors of English workers, it is but
just to say that the present friendship
between England and France, culmi-
mating in the arbitration treaty which
future generations will look upon as
the brightest beacon light of the TWEEN
tieth century. Is mainly the fruit OF
efforts originating in France. The
Combes-LansdoWn treaty might with
equal propriety be called the d'Estour-
nelles de Constant-Finot treaty. Even
before the treaty was signed, prep
arations were already in progress for
similar treaties with Italy and the
United States. The friendship between
France and Spain, of which the United
States was the innocent" cause, has
been growing ever since, till the news
of their alliance is daily expected
| THE Pyrenees no longer exist" may
be said more truthfully now than ir
400, for it now expresses the will
inot of a tdespot, but of two peoples.
Leadership of France.
It has been suggested, especially il
Germany, that all this determination
has a. selfish motive; that it simply
represents the old desire for hegemo-
ny, to be attained this time not BY
force Of arms, but by diplomacy. Who.
ever has studied the characters o.
the leaders of this movement viii
know that nothing could be further
| from the truth than this assertion
! The phenomenon simply shows tina
France has become democratic to the
4 bone, and is merely trying to follow
| out the logic Of democracy, which nat.
| urally tends to obliterate artificial di
| visions among civilized men. In this
matter, as in so many others, fortune
| has favored France by intrusting hel
with the leadership in a movemen
! which it takes but little prophetic gift
/, to see must eventually embrace the
globe.
To many people love Of country j!
at present the stimulus to the high
est effort, and hence. SO long as 1
| works no mischief to humanity a
large, it is worthy of all encourage
melt. But perhaps the very vehe
mence with which nationalism assert.
itself at the present day is due to the
/ fact that it feels its foundations slip
/ ping away. The sympathy Of TIT
| logical man goes out to all amiablt