The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-12
CURRENT COMMENT
The Mass Meeting in Carnee,e H.II.

Last Monday Mr. Sulzer introduced his mo-
ton IN Congress fayoring the abrogation Of
the treaty Of 1892 with Russia. Wednesday
comes the antiphonal reply OF the general
punHc IN mass meeting held In Carnegie
Hali. New York The resolution which was
carried amid chorus OF ayes declared:
That this meeting. called by representatives
from every part OF the Union, and rejecting
every shade Of public opinion urgently re-
guest the Congress of the United States, at
Its present session. to adopt the resolutions
now pending In the Senate and House Of
Representatives. looking to the abrogaton Of
the treaty Of 1882 between the United States
and Russia by giving one years notice OF its
termination pursuant to its expressed provi-
sion. to the end that country. at least,
shall no longer behold with equanimty
classification OF its citizens. which, II ripened
into precedent would eventually undermine
that political system which has made the
greatest moral power Of the earth. BE 1t
further
Resolved, That the national committee be
continued until the end for which it was
ganized has been accomplished
Alone among the speakers the Hon An
drew D. White spoke in favor OF referring
contention is that Russia is sensitive OF her
good name and could not refuse to bring
the matter before a tribunal which she was
herself instrumental in creating. Whereas, il
the treaty is summarily abrogated. Russian
pride may prompt that nation to commit such
reprisals as she could.
Undoubtedly the abrogation Of the treaty
will. not put stop to the practices OF the
Russian government in making religious dis
UnctlOnS between noiderS OF American pass
ports. 1t WILL however. make it impossible
for the United States to be considered as
countenancing. and far less as sanctoning,
such a proceeding. The matter to be arbi-
trated could be the Interpretation of the treaty.
II the Russians came out and proposed arhi-
tration at the eleventh hour, and our inter
probation were found to be correct, which we
! are convinced that it Is. they would have the
opportunity OF accedng to our demands and
result that Mr. White evidently hoped for. But
If the Russian Interpretation were sustained,
| then there would still be nothing for US to do
| but to exercise our right to get out or an
| agreement utterly inconsistently with our
| ideas OF Justice.
/ In view of this fact and OF the repeated
efforts which our government has made to
settle the question amicably. it is clearly not
/ for us to make the frst movs in demanding
n the w, treaty. II the Russians wish to avoid
! this action. there Is still time. President Tart
believes that the Russian government IS ao-
dressing itself seriously to the need OF changing
tho present practice under the treaty rms -
| gratifying news. But there has been SO much
representation the part Of the RUSSIAN s shs
anv solution 1t proposes must bear the hati-
mark OF an honest intention 70 SATISFY nv =;
claims of American public OPINION Win IN .
now so thoroughly 1aroused-baitimore sun
The Silent Majority.
H., r,arv wears the Manufacturers RECORD
h.. urged the South to cease to make poi''c<
it's business and, instead. to make business ~
politics.
"The advice Of The Manufacturers Heeort
wa. long ago taken to the extent that the apes
men OF the South became SO ensrossed In pusi
ness that the political field was gwen oNei''
the MAN. to second -raters.
| The Piedmont adds this comment:
'The SxAe is correct. What south .aroiihs
most needs now Is for some men to takt
enough time from their business to study tns
no,,tical situation The Commonwealth wouic
be much better off,
On which the Richmond Virgnian truly re.
4 marks that when the average good citizen u
indifferent and inactive, by that very condi
tion Ia created the opportunity OF the proles
sional politician and do corruption In politics
and graft in administration find their Origin
There il no community in the South In wnici
general conditions business as well as poHticai
do not suffer because of the reason given p3
| our Carolina and Virginia contemporaries. 1t II
because the elements OF society that have mos
| at stake and which are most competent to lead
! abdicate their rightful relation to public AFFAIRS
that the class least fitted by capacity or hon
estly obtain the opportunity to-. control--Vir
. l .ips> )Jot