The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-12-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 4, 1908.

Eurpean papers SO sensationally ny
pothecated year ago is quite dissipat-
ed. Doubtless the visit of our fleet and
it's hospitable reception in Yokohama
and Toxic has had pacific influence
as had also Mr.. Taft's genial presence
there and his assurances at the Toxic
banquet apd in private conversations
with Japanese statesmen, and now the
knowledge that for the next four years
he will be Commander in Chief Of the
Army and Mavy-al! this is conducive
to the dissipation Of a cas1e belli that
never had any existence except in mag
ination. The agreement between the
countries re prssented by the banner of
the sun and the the stars and stripes is
based on the idea of maintaining free
inter national trade and commerce in
the Pacific Ocean. 1t has for its found
alton mutual guarantee to respect ter
ritorirl possession in the Cabient and al
so defines the attitude of the two count
riss toward China, binding both the Unit
ed States and Japan to maintain by
every peaceful means Chi mas independ-
ence aad the integrity Of her territory
and to give equal commercial opportun-
ties in the Chinese possessions to other
nations, The most important clause in
the agreement however is embodied in
an agreement between the United
States apd Japan that if anything should
happen to menace the peaceful status
quo the United Sta tes and Japan must
consult each other with view to
mutual pacificatory action. 1t will be
readily seen that while this is not an
alliance such As exists between England
and Japan it is formal entente that will
be recognized by the two countries as
an augury and bond of peace. 1t is
interesting to reflect that this agree
ment is published almo st simultaneous
ly with the German Emperor's lurid
prediction that the United States and
Japan would soon be at war. I believe
he mentioned ten months as the limit of
peaceful relations.
The agreement between the two coun-
tries has been drawn up in tho form OF
4 declaration consisting of five articles.
the nrst of which expresses the desire
of the two governments to encourage
free and peaceful development of their
commerce in the Pacific Ocean; the Sec
ond mutually disclains any aggressive
designs and enunciatss the policy of
each government botn as directed to up
holding existing relations and the de-
fcnse of the principle of equal oppor-
tunity for commerce and industry in
China. The third article states the firm
resolution of each Government to re-
spect tho territorial possessions Of the
other in the Pacific. In the fourth ar
ticle the two countries enunciate their
determination to support by all peaceful
means the indepsn dence and integrity
Of China and the idea Of open, CONNER
cial and industrial opportunity for all
nations in the Chinese Empire. The
fifth article pledges the two Govern
ments in case of war sthe occurrence Of
any event threatening the status quo or
the principle Of equal opportunity" to
communicate with each other for the
purpose Of arriving At mutual under
standing with regard to the measures
they may consider it advisable to take.
There can be no doubt but that the un-
derstanding embodied in this agreement
will have an effect upon the appropria-
tions in the coming Congress Secre-
tary Cortelyou has almost completed
his report of tho Treasury Department
and it will show large deficit and the
Chairman Of the Committee of Ways
and Means in the House ~ we'll Speak
er Cannon have announced their deter
mination to cut down expenses to the
lowest possible figure, and if they can
reduce the naval and ship building ex-
penses ten or twelve millions, in view
of our peaceful relations with Japan
and all the rest of the world, it will be
an item of no small consideration. Tho
President on the other hand will doubt
less continue to urge the allowance of
money for four battle ships Of the first
class and will point to the fact that the
cruise of the formidable American feet
has been effective in producing these
friendly and peaceful relations, and
that, merely as an econ omic measure, it
is better to expsnd thirty or forty mill
lions more for the maintenance of for
midable navy than to spend ten times
that much in war and larger sum in
the pensions that will follow.
Many members of Congress and Sena-
tors are now in the city. An interest
ing short session is anticipated The
tariff is not an exciting or sensational
issue but the intensity Of feeling with
reference to it in certain quarters is ap
parent. When the preachers in Missou-
ri are praying for the maintainance of
high duty on zinc ore and when a
breach in the Republican party or rath-
or one between the executive and legis-
lative branches of the nation over the
tariff issue il in the air, the possibilities
of this chronic bone Of contention are
quits apparent. The tariff is discussed
everywhere and will be discussed though
perhaps not on the floors of Congress
du-i ing the short session. When the
special session 10 called twill divide
the House of Representatives, on the
election of ..successor TO Speaker Can
non and will interfere with the progress
Of lusiness revival until it is finally set
tied
A Personal Appeal.
II we could talk to you personally