New-York tribune., 1912-03-08
frrom The Tribune bureau


Washington, March I
THE PEACE TREATIES.-The inabh'ty
Of Democratic Senator's and few Repuo-
lican insurgents TO rise above partlsah anu
factional considerations in their action on a
great international question is the occasion
OF serious disappointment to the PRESIDENT
who has all along believed that at leas'
a majority Of the Democrats would stand
with him In the promotion ot the cause
OF peace and approve the arbitration treaues
with Great Britain and France. That the
Democrats have made another serious
bunder is the conviction OF most Oh those
who have discussed this subject before
public audiences or who have sought 10
familiarize themselves with the trend OF
public opinion. IL is admitted that 'he
ratification of the treaties would nave
afforded some credit to President Taft, but
even that. Il is contended. will be far out
weighed by the injury TO the Democrats
who have succeeded only in demonstrating
once more their incapacity TO deal WIN
international questions on basis proaue'
than that of the peanut politician. lhat
certain hard and fast followers or Coiohei
Roosevelt should accept his views rather
than do their own thinking was expected
and the votes cast by such men as Brlsto"'
Bourne ct al. occasioned no surprise; but
that practically all the Democratic Seh"-
tors should have pursued such course Is
little short of amazing. Republican Sena-
tors. seeking to find some comfort III the
situation, declare that nothing could nave
demonstrated more clearly the reailzatioh
by the Democrats OF President tart
strength than their unwillingness that lie
should receive credit for an achievement
which has been heartily commended by
the Democratic press and which Is be-
leved TO be vastly popular throughout the
country. There was a time when certain
of the Southern States feared that the
pending treaties might result in revivins
tho question OF the obligation OF certain
OF their number TO pay repudiated bonds,
but 1t has been so clearly pointed out that
the arbitration provided for under the
treaties would concern only questions
which might hereafter arise that all such
fear has been dispelled. and It was gen
orally recognized that the Lodge resolu-
ton OF ratification eliminated the last pos
sIble doubt as 10 the constitutionalty Of the
conventions. II is insisted, therefore, that
a hole" must be attributed the adverse
vote Of practically the entire Democratic
membership OF the Senate.
THE COMMERCE COURT The deter
mination of the Democrats in the House to
abolish the Commerce Court by failing to
appropriate tho funds necessary for Its
maintenance viii be stoutly opposed in the
Senate, and 1t Is hoped that the Senate will
be successful I'm securing continuance OF
this useful tribunal, which II destined
greatly 10 expedite tho judicial considera
| ton OF questions arising in connection with
the administration Of tho interstate COM
mercc law. II is realized that the court
has been unfortunate I'm at least one of its
decisions which reversed temporarily a
popular decision OF the Interstate Com
merce Commission and that this fact will
lead those who favor the recall Of judges
70 practise on the Commerce Court the
| type Of recall which will be effected II no
appropriation for its further maintenance
is made. II is hoped. however. that there
still remains in the upper house a sufll-
olcnt number OF Senators with respect for
the courts 10 prevent such form Of intimi-
dalton from being perpetrstcd. There IL,
| too. a possibility that the President would
veto bill which sought by such indirect
means TO abolish the Commerce Court, 80
that bitter contest may ensue.
THE TARIFF BOARD.-Thc House
| Democrats are equally determined 10
abolish the Tariff Board. and purpose 10
pursue the same method with regard 20
that as with regard TO the Commerce
Court. Tho serious objection Of the Dem
ocrats 10 the Tariff Board appears TO be
that IL tells tho truth at time when the
Democratic tarin tinkers find the truth de-
cidedly embarrassing. Here, again, de-