The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-05-26
this additional burden may not be
A Pathway of Peace.


avoided
A Pathway of Peace.
When in 1901 we were preparing
to undertake the vast enterprise we
entered into a treaty with Great Brit
ain relative to Incomplete neutrailza
ton of the canal. 1t is stipulated
in this treaty among other things that
the canal shall be free and open 20
the vessels of commerce and war of
all nations on terms of entire equali-
ty; that the canal shall never be
blockaded, nor shall any right of war
be exercised nor any act of hostility
be committed within it; that no bel
ligerent shall embark or disembark
troops, munitions of war, or warlike
materials in the canal that the Unit
ed States shall be at liberty to main
tain military police along the canal
as may be necessary to protect it
against lawlessness and disorder. 1t
will readily be seen that under this
treaty the canal when completed will
be absolutely neutralized so far as
Great Britain is concerned. Why,
therefore, should we not enter into
similar undertakings with all other
nations and thereby bind them to join
hands in protecting forever this great
world highway. Surely here is an
opportunity worthy of the best effort
of American diplomacy. The canal is
a peace enterprise. It's great func-
ton is to further the commerce of the
world. 1t should forever be a path
way of peace.
The Burden of Militarism.
But Theodore Roosevelt in his
memorable Nobel peace prize address
at Christiana last week sounded the
key note of American goth century
diplomacy - the federation of the
world for the purpose of peace. The
message which he there delivered was
extremely opportune. The expense Of
militarism has become so burdensome
the expenditure of effort in war and
preparations for war has become so
enormous that the world is awakening
to the necessity of some practical
method of at least limiting these ev-
lis. Indeed conditions were never so
favorable for the adoption by the
great powers of some scheme that
will save them from the financial ruin
which the continuance of existing mil
itary policies threaten. Much has
been accomplished during the last
100 years to further the peaceful adj
justment of international differences.
The establishment of the Hague Court,
marking a new era in international
affairs, the negotiation of many trea-
ties of arbitration and the crystalliz-
alton of public sentiment in favor of
the peaceful settlement of internatiOn-
al grievances, the large number of
international congresses, associations
and unions, from the Universal Peace
Union to the International Institute
of Agriculture, the intense competition
for the worlds markets with the uni
flying influences of international trade
and commerce, all these plainly indi-
cate the tendency of the times.
But while there has been marked
progress in much that pertains to in
ternational affairs there has been no
diminution in the vast preparations
for war On the contrary the rival
ry among the great powers in naval
and military matters is constantly
growing more intense. The cOnstruc-
ton of a huge dreadnaught by one
nation stimulates another nation to
construct two of even larger size. So
rapidly have these preparations for
war increased during the last decade
that il has hecOme aDDarent TO many
that the only method by which any
restriction could be placed upon the
armament of the various nations is
to bind those nations together in a
league of peace.
The time is ripe, and we have the
man to lead in this great movement.
When Franklin, our first and great
est diplomat went to France to plead
the cause of our independence, he
was not the cause of our independ-
ence, he was the foremost American
citizen. and this fact contributed much
to the success which ne achieved. Mr..
Roosevelt is today the foremost man
in all the world and this fact would
add enormously to any efforts which
he might make in behalf of the fed
GRAFTON of the world for the purpose
of peace. Congress is even now pro-
posing the appointment by the Presi-
dent of a commission to take this sub
ject under consideration. Let US all
look forward hopefully to such a
commission with Theodore Roosevelt
at it's head.