The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-02-01
A NICE DISCRIMINATION ;

Ihere Is good deal of criticism in
the Eastern press leveled at Senator
IO'Gorman of New York, on two
grounds. First, the Senator is quite in
accord with President Taft s original
view on the question of Panama canal
tolls. and supported the legislation
which was passed last summer fixing
those tolls and e1emptug vessels en-
gagged in American coastwisc com.
merce from the payment Of tolls. II
Is urged that III supporting that legis-
lation Senator O German has shown
a lack of nice discenrment OF interna-
tiopal good faith that is discouraging
and an ignorance of international
practice and law that is surprising. I"
But 1T is extremely doubtful if those
who thus arraign Senator O'Gorman are
as competent TO pass upon matters of
nice dlscernment in international
good faith or on questions of Sin
ternational practice and law as he
is; for the Senator is something OF an
authority on those points himself,
while those who write against him
have no repute to size up against his,
1t is true, also, that on the general
question involved it takes a good deal
of cheek for those who simply con-
form to the British view on this ques-
ton, ignoring American interests, to
claim that they are the only ones who
are competent to exercise "nice dis
n A.,
ough knowledge of international law
and practice
In this connection 1t is interesting TO
note that proposition has been made
(by what authority does not appear
that the further conduct OF Great
Britain's case in the canal negotia-
tions may be entrusted ambassador
Bryce. with free hand in the whole
matter Ny Bryce. il is explained,
was out OF the country when the canal
bill was passed and when the British
protest first took form He is in no
way blamed for his absence, but on
the contrary that absence is now held
TO be An especial qualification for him
to take up the negotiation Of this qucs.
tion on an entirely free basis, in which |
he will not be entangled BY any pre-
vious action Of his own. or b. any
connection which he has had with the |
action of his government. The sug |
gestion would seem TO be a good one |
and if Embassador Bryce is entrusted |!
with the negotiation that seems obi |
gatory, it is practically assured before
hand that he will do his part faith
fully 10 his government, and with an /
intelligence with respect 10 the claims
OF the United States that will be re.
spected equally by both sides to the
Another m after for which Senator
o German has been arraigued in the
Eastern newspapers Is his attitude TO.
wards The Philippines. : recent de.
clsration Of his with respect to Tho
policy that ought TO Jc pursued with
regard TO the FiliPiuos. is az follows:
They ought 10 be free when uley are
fully IL Tor Seif-governmcut and its re-
sponsibliues. but who Is 10 sci the day
and hour In tho future when that viii
have been aCcomplis shed" When N ar |
-lyes We shall know IT, !, IS moi yct
IN The nee niimc our schools are doing
great Work. don't believe TIE AmcyI- |
can people want colonies. AND they ,vouId !
he glad 90 grant the Fiiuiuos !udcpoud-
euCe, but We must recognize the duty
which is ours and not tIv 10 anticipate !
the tWs when We can cai rid of ~ hv
letting 2 dsDcndcn. people shin for ihcm-
selves.
That ia clearly good sense, good
1tatesmansnin and good American pa.
since we unfortunately forbid
American enterprise and exploitation
in he Philippines. II is stated that
Senator O'Gornan is very close 10
President-eiect Wilson, aud likely 70 90
ono of his advisers on all puzzHng
questions. His declaration. therefore
that the time for Philippine independ
ence IL NOT vet, but that when il does
come VIC shall know IL, and that in the
mean time our schools are doing great
work among the Filipino people, is one