Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-30
ROOSEVELT HITS
PEACE TREATIES
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. + -
CONTINUED From Page ~ .s.
sion of Asiatic immigrants in mass,
or the refusal by the states to pay
bonds. or many other similar matters.
In short. + do not believe that we can
afford to arbitrate questions or yltai
interest and national honor, or Dues
tions Of settled American govern
mental policy. 4g,
Il Sees Nations Good Faith Unvalued.
Il Moreover the attitude we are now
taking as regards the abrogation OF the
Russian treaty shows beyond posi-
bility Of doubt that if we were so fool
fish or so timid as to agree, as an
abstract matter, by general arbitration
treaties, to arbitrate such questions,
we. should instantly repudiate the
agreement whenever a concrete case
arose in which any considerable num-
Der of our citizens took an active IN
tterest. Under such circumstances TO
proceed with the ratification of the gem
eral arbitration treaties unamended
would be not merely farce, but
farce played at the expense OF our
reputation for national good faith and
sincerity. I believe most earnestly IN
peace, and in taking any step for arbi-
tration which will genuinely tell IN
favor of peace; and i oppose these
treaties because, If unamended. the"
would tell against peace and would put
|ns as nation in an attitude OF unc-
tous 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 (hold-
ing in view the abrogation of the Rus
sian treaty. would be relieved from
the present faint of evident insinceri-
ty-although even then they would
represent a very small afs5ance over
our present position.
1T is possible with sincerity and
patriotism to favor the arbitration
treaties (although personally disagree
with this View It is possible with
sincerity and patriotism to oppose the
arbitration treaties. But it Is neither
sincere nor patriotic to make believe
TO support the principle OF arbitra-
ton in general, and to try to get the
country to commit itself to this pr1n-
ciple, and at the same time to take
part in, or to connive at, the repud1a-
ton by this country of the principle
so loudly advocated, the very first mo-
rnent that it is possible to reduce that
principle to practice In other words,
it will put this country into a position
both ridiculous and discreditable to
pass the proposed general arbitration
treaties at the same time that we de-
nounce our General treaty with Russia.
CONGRESS and the Russian Treaty
1.-THE other day the lower house, with
|but one dissenting vote, passed a reso-
luton in favor of the abrogation Of the
treaty. Among those who voted for
this motion are many men who are
|agai" st the unamended arbitration
treaties. These men occupy sincere
and consistent position; it is the posi-
ton with which I personally agree.
The one dissenting vote was that cast
by gentleman who announced that ne
was in favor OF the general arbitration
treaties, and therefore could not con-
sistently take position wholly in
compatible with favoring them. Al
though / do not agree with this gentle
man. / feel that his position showed
both courage and sincG-ity. But
surely all men who think clearly must
unuualifiedly condemn any man VINO
advocates the general arbitration treat
les without at the same time fearlessly
showing his sincerity by denouncing the
proposal to abrogate the Russian trea-
ty without submitting its interpreta'
Ition to arbitration. The senate by vote
has Joined II abrogating the Russian
treaty and therefore it will act in 9
way to cause discredit upon the United
states if it approves the arbitration
| treaties unamended. At the recent
New York peace meeting In favor o.
! the treaties (Which ended in riot) II
/ was not creditable to the speakers FOL
those treaties that they did not ven
iture to declare themselves on the one
practical issue, of the kind the treaties
lare expected to settle, which was actual
lly before the peoplethatis is, the matter
LOT the abrogation Of the Russian trea
lty without effort to get 1t authorita
lively interpreted.
4 Would Go Slow With Promises.
"It cannot be too often repeated thai
these general arbitration treaties arr