Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-02


active in its opposition to the arbitration
treaties and that the man who signs the
circular is a prominent member and Off
cial Of that organization. are regarded by
those interested In the arbitration move
ment as evidence of the origin OF the
charges. The Clan-na-Gael has no objec-
ton to arbitration principle. or to
treaties with other countries than England;
but IT is as determined in its opposition to
the pending treaty with Great Britain as it
was to the Hay-Pauncefote treaty several
years ago. A meeting of several of the
eminent gentlemen accused of being in the
conspiracy was held in Philadelphia on the
18th of November last for the purpose of
arranging public demonstration in favor
of International arbitration. On the fol-
lowing day, whether by accident or other
wise, there was a meeting of the Gamma
Gael, at which steps were taken to organize
the opposition to ethe treaties in Philadel-
phia and elsewhere and to bring pressure
to bear upon all of the members Of the
United States Senate through Irish-Ameri-
can societies in different parts of the coun-
try. Resolutions were adopted and copies
were sent to the President and to the Sec
rotary or State, protesting against any
treaty of arbitration with England, on the
ground that it would be used to coerce the
United States into accepting reciprocity
treaties with Canada and other British col
onies; and protesting also against treaties
of arbitration with all countries whatso-
ever. on the ground that they place our for
of capricious and irresponsible body of
arbitrators, which is unconstitutional and
incompatible with the existence of free
republic"
Recognizing the powerful influence of the
Irish American organizations in politics,
there Is already a scattering of senators
VINO nave been classed among the sup
porters and advocates of arbitration. A
similar stampede occurred when the same
organizations announced their hostility to
the Hay-Pauncefote treaty when 1t came
before the Senate several years ago. This,
however. affects only the senators from
the northern states. 1t remains to be seen
whether the Irish societies will exercise
more influence in the Senate than the pub
lie sentiment which has been developed
throughout the country.
Ex-Secretary Fosters Statement.
The leaders of the arbitration movement,
the gentlemen who are accused of entering
into conspiracy with New York specula-
tors whose trunks are filled with repudiat-
ed bonds, are still very confident of rati-
fication. John w. Foster, former Secre-
tary of State who is the president and
most active leader of the arbitration So
cfeties, said this morning that he was IA
mlliar with the action of the Clan-Na-Gael
and had seen copy of the circular charg-
ing MN and others with conspiracy He
admitted also that considerable nervous
ness has been caused in the southern states
lest ratification of the arbitration treaties
with the European powers would expose
them to the danger of being condemned to
pay bonds which have been repudiated.
However unworthy or reprehensible
the motive which prompted the Irish So
cieties to put forth such a reason for the
defeat of the treaties" said Mr. Foster,
1T appears to have created a situation
that demands attention. Several senators
are hesitatlng as to the attitude they
should assume toward the treaties. There
seems to me, however, to be no possible
ground for apprehension. 1t is a we'll
recognized principle of international law
that government connot, by treaty or
otherwise, enter into stipulations with
any foreign power in violation of its own
constitution and organic law. 1t is also a
well-recognized principle of international
law that foreigners who enter into con-
tracts with municipal, state or other To-
cal authorities do so at their own risk,
subject to existing laws. When the for
e1gn holders of the repudiated bonds in
question purchased them they were or
at least. they should have been, aware of
a provision in the federal Constitution
preventing them from collecting the in
terest or principal through the courts
They should have known that the value
of the bonds rested entirely upon the
faith of the states that issued them. The
Constitution expressly forbids our courts
to entertain suits against state of this
Union by subjects of any foreign state. or
by citizens of any of our own states. The
federal government possesses power
to coerce a state TO pay its financial obli-
cations and it could not confer such
power upon any arbitration tribunal by
treaty or otherwise.
All of the arbitra ton treaties contain
proviso that the vital interests of ma
lions shall not be submitted to the Hague
tribunal. and it would be impossible for
the United States to submit to any tri-
bunal the responsibility of a state of this
Union for the payment of bonds or any
other obligations it may have incurred