The Cairo bulletin., 1911-12-30
ROOSEVELT N
ACCORD WITH
TREATY ENDING

honor, or questions of settled Ameri-
can governmental policy.
Moreover, the attitude we are
now taking as regards the abroga-
ton of the Russian treaty shows be-
yond possibility of doubt that if we
were so foolish or so timid as to
agree, as an abstract matter, by gen
eral arbitration treaties, to rrhitrate
such questions, we should instantly
repudiatc the agreement whenever
a concrete case arose in which any
considerable number of our citizens
took an active interest Under sleh
circumstances to proceed with the
ratification OF the general arhItra-
ton treaties unamended would be
not merely a farce, but farce play
ed at the expense of our reputation
for National good faith and siace.-
ity. | believe most earnestly in
peace. and in taking any step fer al
hitration which will genuinely tell
in favor of peace; and | oppose ;hcse
treaties because. if unamended, they
would tell against peace and noulo
put us as a, nation In an attitude OF
unctuous and odious hypocrisy. Both
the Lodge and the Root amendments
should be adopted; the treaties
would then cease to be detrimental
to our National honor and interest
and (holding in view the abrogation
Iof the Russian treaty. would be re-
lieved from the present faint of ev.-
dent sineerity-although eve0
then they would represent very
small advance over our present pos.
ton.
Each Side Eager.
cit is possible with sincerity and
patriotism to favor the arbitration
treaties (although | personally dis.
agree with this View. 1t is possible
with sincerity and patriotism to op.
pose the arbitration treaties. But il
is neither sincere nor patriotic to
make believe to support the princi
pie OF arbitration in general, and
try to get the country to commit it.
self to this priciple, and at the same
time take part in, or to connive at,
the reputation by this country OF
the principle SO loudly advocated, the
very first moment that it is possible
to reduce that principle to practice
In other words, 1t will put this coun-
try into position both ridiculous
and discreditablc to pass the pro-
posed general arbitration treaties
at the same time that we denounce
our general treaty with Russia.
1.-The other day the lower house
with but ene dissenting vote, passed
a resolution in favor of the abroga-
ton of the treaty. Among II ose
who voted for this motion are many
men who are against the unamended
arbitration treaties. These men
occupy sincere and consistent posi-
ton; it is the position with which
personally agree. The one dis
senting vote was that cast by gen
tleman who announced that he was
in favor of the general arbitration
treaties, and therefore could not
consistently take a position wholly
Incompatible with favoring them.
Although | do not agree with this
gentlemen, feel that his position
showed both courage and sincerity.
But surely men who think clearly
must unqaulifiedly condemn any
man who advocates the general ar
bitration treaties without at the
same time fearlessIy showing his
sincerity by denouncing the pro-
posal to arbitrate the Russian treaty
submitting its interpreCa-
ion to arbitration. The Senate, by |
'ote, has Joined in abrogating the
Russian treaty and therefore II Will