The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-04

convened today at ~ O'Clock. Vice
President Fairbanks called the SEN
ate to order, while the house was
called to order by Clark Mcdowell.
ByIW. w. Jermane.
Washington, Dec. 4.-The session Of
congress which begins today will be
the most important Of President Roose-
velt's administration, and one of the
most important Of recent years, except
ing the one which declared war against
Spain in defense of Cuban liberty. 1t
will be session in which grave ques-
lions Of internal economy will come
up, and questions concerning our atti-
tude toward other countries, and it will
require the wisest craftsmanship to
the difficulties that may beset it.
Congress will be called upon to pass
upon eight questions Of more than usual
significance, three of which are inter
national, and five purely national. The
three former have to do with Germany
and our trade in that country; the
Roosevelt corollary to the Monroe doc
trine, as illustrated in the Santo. Do
mingan situation, and the isthmian ca
nal. The five latter embrace railroad
rates, insurance, statehood, the federal
deficit and Reed Smoot. H..
The German Situation.
The German situation will reach a
crisis during the life Of this session of
congress. The attitude of =" stand-pat'
republicans does not promise that it
will be possible for us to meet Ger
may assent TO-, and yet The equities
seem to be almost entirely with that
country. -
Our failure to do the fair thing at
this time not only threatens to deprive
us Of one Of our most important export
markets, but it may pave the way tc
German aggression in South America. In
Brazil and Argentine Germany has been
colonizing for & many years-not by send
become part and parcel Of the local
population, as has been the case with
Germans coming to the United States
but by having them retain their ties ia
the fatherland. A German movement
toward any part Of South America
you'd at once arouse more than 100000
Germans of soldier age on that CONT
nent, who, at a word, would hoist the
German standard.
Our amicable understanding will
Germany in the past has prevented any
outbreak thus far; added to the impor
tant fact that perhaps Germany ha'
rot felt that the time was ripe 70,
demonstration; but once let q breal
come, thru our own offending, and i
IS feared the way would at once b.
| open for aggressive action, resulting
possibly, in a demand that we defend
the Monroe doctrine by force of arms.
Two Questions Linked.
This South American question i
bound up with German trade matter
as they will come before congress thi
WINTER, and in the minds of diplomat
and others who have given the cues
ton careful thought, there is the high
est necessity that we SO act as to in
sure CONTINUATION Of the era Of goo
prepared to take any consequences tina
may follow failure to do so. :"
commercial disputes will, Of course
not be- the cause for such action o.
I Germany's part as is here limited at
the cause will be one Of long standing
name! ~. the Importance to Germany 8
colonial possessions; but these sam
immediate occasion. should German
believe that the time has come for az
ton. 1t is well known that the pres
dent is impressed with the seriousness
of the German outlook, and that HI
anxiety to have the trade question sci
tied in a spirit Of fairness to ths
country has back Of it considerabl
more than the considerations whic
that trade question alone involves.
Santo Domingo Affairs.
The senate, it is hoped, will I
prompt to ratify the treaty with SAM
Domingo. thus indorsing the plan whic
the president has put under way
that country for preserving E11ronea
respect for. the Monroe doctrine. Faj
, ure to ratify this treaty would see
/ to be the height of folly, and "
there IS so. much latent opposition
the treaty in the senate as to make
out Of the question for definite predi
, lions to be made.
| The. senate, controlled largely by ii
!, financial interests of the country, CO
r be depended upon to the last to fav
: those interests. The American none
market is not unit on the San
DOMINICAN case, and it is quite possib
that affairs may take such a turn duri1
the winter as to carry ratification ov
This delay is exasperating to Il
European creditors Of that small cou
! try, and would. try the patience Of t
Roosevelt administration almost to Il
: breaking point.
There is so much more involved
: this case than Santo Domingo, or al
J. purely financial question, as to ma,
: serious delay on the. part Of the sena
s almost crime against the whole
the new world. And vet these immen
! interests seem to weigh very little
the senate scale when there is oppos
$ to sthem the selfish interests of a Fl
: American money lenders or traders.
s Thus the Monroe doctrine, which h
: to do directly with the Santo Domin
case, may also come into the questi
j, of our trade relations with German
: These two questions are, therefore,
r the highest interest and Importance, 4
!: only to our people, but to the countr;
]. to the south Of us also.
}, The Canal Question.
O The isthmian canal question M
e come before congress in a way tn
f will reopen the entire matter, and aga
E indefinitely delay the work Of car
: construction. The enemies of the Pa