The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-14
CHICAGO PLATFORM
HAS BEEN WRITTEN
Commentator for ROOse-
welt and Administration.
TARIFF RATES NOT SACRED
Must Not, However, Be Revised by It's
EnemieS-Anti-Tr Trust
Attitude.


OF 1904. which will be submitted to tn
committee on resolutions Of the nationa
convention by Senator Lodge. the pros
peetive chairman, as the basis of its de
hberations, is completed, says the ''Nev
York Tribune" this morning.
Although subject. Of course. 10 minol
notifications and Encouragement ii
committee, it may be accepted as the
DEC laration of policies on which the
Republican party Is ready 10 fight this
years national campaign. Several planks
Oh the draft naturally resemble those
or the Massachusetts platform.
Conference of Leaders.
Before going TO Massachusetts, Sena'
tor Lodge held extended conferences
with leaders Of the party in Washington
Some of the more salient features of the
Massachusetts pronouncement, which
was adopted by a convention completely
dominated by the Massachusetts states
man. expressed the joint views of the
most prominent men in the party.
1t is q notably terse platform, no.
where open 10 eQuivocal Interpretation
sharply contrasting with anything q
disorganized, fusion-compromise oppOsi-
ton can present for popular approval.
After the usual expression of con-
fidence in the eternal principles of the
Republican party, the platform will
specifically commend Theodore Roose-
welt. the man, for his faithful adher-
ence to the policies OF Mckinley, for
his fearless discharge of the duties OF
his high office, with the single purpose
OF promoting the public welfare, for
the Important part he played in the
crisis of the anthracite coal strike, and
for representing the highest ideals OF
American manhood.
The platform viii then riview the for
eign relations Of the United States I'M
der President Roosevelt's Administra-
ton. asserting that no function Of his
office renders an untrted and unsafe
President more liable 10 involve the
nation IN grave and inextricable COM
plicationS than the administration OF It's
foreign affairs
Among the achievements Of Theodore
Roosevelt's Administration will be
enumerated the accomplishment of Gu
ban reciprocity, and the ratification of
the treaty with Cuba which incorpo-
rates the Platt amendment.
A Wise Foreign Policy.
The wise and conservative course Of
the Administration in the Venezuelan
AFFAIR. which resulted in the most signal
recognition by foreign powers OF the
Monroe Doctrine as an important tri-
umph for arbitration and In the protee-
ton of VeneZuela's American creditors,
will be so exhibited as TO throw into
strong contrast the Venezuelan message
of President Cleveland
The settlement Of the Alaskan bound
airy dispute. another triumph for
american diplomacy, and for arbitra-
ton, accomplished by peaceful means,
under critical circumstances, will be
made the basis for further approval OF
MIR. Roosevelt's administration.
Successes in the Orient.
The shIIfuI and farseeing diplomacy
which effected the negotiation and rati-
ncation of the treaty with China. where
by the United States. in the face of
subtle but powerful opposition, acquired
treaty rights in Manchuria which the
victor IN the present war, be It Russia
or Japan. will be bound to respect, and
which guarantees to American com
merce a wider opportunity in China
than has ever before been accorded TO
any nation; the subsequent note 10 the
European powers, by which the ''ad-
against the desire Of the powers 10
accomplish its partition, and the world
wide diplomatic understanding that the
United States will be selected 10 adjust
the terms or peace when Russia and
Japan shall determine TO abandon their
resort 10 arms. will be cited in substan-
tiauon Of the assertion that Theodore
tive and wise Executive
Roosevelt is an exceptionally conserva-
The Administration and Congress will
be warmly commended for the acouisi-
ton or the Panama Canal. the connie
ton OF which must accrue so largely
70 the advantage or the United States
and to the world at large.
Antitrust Laws Enforced.
The President VIII be praised for his
successful enforcement of the Sherman
antitrust law. which was enacted by a
Republican Congress and first apnIied
by Republican President.
Grateful comment on the extraordi-
nary prosperity Of the nation will he
followed by a brief contrast of existing
conditions with those of 1893 and he
the assertion that the monetary system
OF the nation Is now on such a stable
and satisfactory basis that men look
back with wonder and amazement when
they recall the wild vagaries and still
wilder Democratic theories Of 1886.
The Tariff Plank.
The section which deals with protec-
ton Is almost a replica of the Massa-
chusetts plank which was not only high
~ approved by the leaders in Washing
ton before its adoption. but which has
since met with the Unanimous COM
mendation OF Republicans in an sections
OF the country. and especially OF the
great productive and Industrial element
winch forms so large a proportion of
the Republican party. 1t viii read sub
as follows:
Protection, which guards and develops
our Industries, Is a cardinal principle
OF the Republican party. We insist upon
the maintenance Of this principle but
We recognize that particular tariff sched-
ules are neither sacred nor immutable
Rates Of duty may be altered when
changed conditions demand their altera-
ton, but no revision should be under
taken unless IL Is clear that the benefit
viii more than compensate for the dis
turbance OF business which inevitably at
tends a revision OF the tariff schedules
Nor can such revision be fntrusted with
safety 10 any other than the party of
protection. To intFust IL TO the Demo-
cratic party Is again 10 invite the Dem