The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-07-17
BRIsTOW VS.. BRYAN.

MT, Bryan mas been Tor mum Der
of years a standard lecturer in Chau-
tauqua courses. Naturally he finds it
hard to break of. But really he ought
not to be lecturing this year. He is
in a highly important government po.
sition, one which has many exacting
duties at all times. and ono which calls
for the closest and most careful atten,
tion. Vigilance on the part of the
Secretary OF State of this country is
OF especial Importance just now, be-
canse we have two matters of interna-
tional concern that press for immediate
consideration.
First, the japanese correspondence,
Ii is true that we could we'll afford to
have ignored this altogether after the
first, since California S legislation
ought not to be of National concern.
but inasmuch as the administration
took it up aud undertook to make n
National concern out of it, the Nation
cannot, with any sort of courtesy and
fairness, drop it at this stage, The
note in reply to the japanese communi-
cation received some time ago is lust
delivered, and will no doubt evoke a
reply that should receive the instant
attention Of Secretary Bryan. If he
had kept out of the California muss
altogether, there would have been no
reason for him to make any reply TO
the japanese notes, especially after the
explanation that he fairly made, and
could consistently rest upon, that the
California japanese legislation IN no
way infrnges upon the treaty between
this country and Japan.
There is another matter Of interna-
tional concern which is liable any day
10 become acute. We have daily init.
nations from Washington that foreign
governments are feeling the disposition
of the United States with respect TO
what ought to be done in Mexico, and
suggestions come from time to time
that # this country does not take ac-
tlon for the protection of foreigners in
Mexico, other nations may feel called
upon to interfere. It would surely be
shame TO the United States, as well
as an intrusion on our province under
the Monroe doctrine, to have Great
Britain, Germany, France, or any
combination of European powers. inter
vene in Mexican affairs. To allow mat.
tiers to come TO that stage would he
IN effect an imbecile action on our part
that we could in no wise afford,
Matters are very bad in Mexico, and
while 1T is true that Secretary BRYAN
showed some vigor a few days ago in
making demand for the release OF
i've Americans, demand that was
promptly acceded to, there is no avoid
ing the fact that critical situation
may arse IN Mexican affairs any day.
The summonlng Of ambassador Wilson
to Washington indicates a disposition
to learn Of the situation so that appro.
pirate action may be taken.
These needs should absolutely pre-.
vent Mr. Bryan from making anv lee
ture or other engagements of anv kind. |
that tako him away from his official |
station His duty to the American |
public is as Secretary OF State. and |
everything else should be subsidiary |
thereto. His plea that his salary of
$1,000 month is not enough for him to
live on in his official position, is some
thing that he should have considered
before he accepted the office; for the
American people must be served by the
Secretary of State, and their interests
guarded, without any relation to the
salary Of the office, or whether Mr..
Bryan can live on that salary or not
But il the salary is not enough, it is
clearly the duty, as well as the privi-
ege Of Congress, to increase that salary
until 1T is enough for the needs of the
Secretary. No one would have SUP.
posed for one moment, however, that
The Great Commoner would be the
lrst to raise the plea that his salary
g not enough for him to live on,
since no Cabinet officer has
lone this before, Under this plea .Jef.
,.t |