Imperial Valley press., 1913-09-26

possessions. 1t must be remembered,
however, that liberty in this respect
is at all times restricted by the mani
fest rights of others; liberty of
speech and liberty Of the press in at
tack upon the government can never
be permitted to weaken the authority
Of the nations responsible head deal
ing with a foreign power.
Il raise the question:
What is the duty Of the press Of
the United States when their govern
ment has a delicate international
problem to solve? That is'a question
which every editor in America has
been called upon to answer twice
since the fourth of March. It has
not been difficult for most editors, for
they regard themselves as citizens be-
fore they are editors, and therefore
they have supported the policy of the
government, through its chosen
agents, when it's policy commended
itself to their judgment. When they
were not convinced, they have ac-
quiesced, or pointed out in a way that
could not be used against the coun-
try, their views. As a rule in the
diplomatic differences growing out Of
the Land legislation in California be-
tween this country and Japan, and
the differences existing between our
government and the Huerta admins
tration in Mexico, the press has voiced
and sustained the policies that the
executive department Of the govern
ment has adopted.
The older nations of the world
have learned during their centuries
Of experience the vital necessity Of
having their foreign policies support
ed by united public and press. What
we in America yield as a patriotic
duty, they in the old world countries
expect not only through patriotism,
but as q matter Of bomden obligation
from the individual to the state.
"Those two great nations, England
and France, were for centuries at
war, until they regarded each other
as traditional enemies. But the day
came not long ago When the wise
councils Of a British king and a
French president evolved a notable
known as the intente cor
dale Not journal in London, Paris
or in any corner of the country with
held its support and praise for that
international policy by which two
great nations, historic enemies, be-
came friends.
Ordinarily the extremes by which
old-world nations demand united sup
port of international policies are con-
trary to our ideals and institutions.
All we can hope to achieve is the free
and Independent action of each in
dividual editor, based on his patriotic
impulses, his love of country, quick
ening Of all ennobling sentiments,
until the ethical principle is firmly
in American journalism
that the voice of the nations head,
once expressed on a foreign policy,
once expressed on a foreign question,
is the voice of the united country.
There is a sensitiveness between
nations. Supposed Sights are often
more potent in provoking war than
wrongs of injustice. If the American
press published what unjustly in
flames the American mind against an
other nation, is it not to be expected
that sensational press Of the coun-
Try will copy in the infiamatory utter
ances and reply in kind? Such pub
ications may be like applying a burn
ng match to a mass of combustibles.
# the conflagration follows who ex-
cept the unwise editors dug the
graves that war causes ?"