The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-02-24
Wilson May Have Difficulty
in Forcing Congress'tO Alb
rOgate Law Passed Less
Than Year Ago.
EMO RATS OPPOSE
Senator O'Gorman and Sena-
tor Root Have Expressed
Themselves As Being in
Harmony With Executive.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-Before
the present session of Congress closes
the dark Ominous clouds which have
threatened the prestige of the United
States in it's international relations
probably will have disappeared. This
is the expectation Of President Wilson,
who has now avowedly taken charge
of the American foreign policy him
self. He is now employing all the in
fluence of his office in bringing about
a new and more wholesome interna-
tional feeling.
President Wilson has definitely COM
mitted himself on the question OF eX-
empting American coastwise shipping
from the payment of Panama tolls.
His action on this subject was not I'M
expected. When he announced that he
was absolutely opposed to the eXemp-
tion. which was written upon the stat
ute books at the last session OF Con
gress, he did merely that which had
been anticipated for months. Wheth-
er right or wrong, his action has gone
far towards increasing his popularity
and prestige abroad
However, the President has not yet
won his fight in opposition to the ex-
emption and there is strong evidence
that he will have difficulty in doing
so. The Adamson act, containing the
exemption clause, passed both the
House and Senate less than year
ago with huge majorities, and it is not
believed in Capitol Circle that either
house of Congress will reverse itself
without a bitter struggle.
Some Favor Exemption.
CIV 4.
ment in congress in favor Of the ex-
emption. basing itself on the general
assumption hiatt since the United
States built the Panama canal 1t is
entitled TO a little preferential treat
ment This sentiment is led by Sena-
tor O'Gorman of New York, who is a
man of fighting qualities, and who
left the white house a few days ago
stating that the presidents logic in
favor of the repeal Of the Adamson
act had failed to make an impression
on him.
President Wilson, has so far
failed to find any man in his own par
ty who will lead his fight in the SEN
ate. Most of the administration lead
ers are already shoulder deep in work
and worry with the legislative pro-
lam before them. Senator Root is
The most conspicuous advocate of the
presidents contention on the minor
ity side, but Mr.. Wilson will need to
have an able and vigorous Demo
cratic Coadjutor to win the Senate
to his cause.
The other great international ques-
ton now before the United States is
Mexico. In the past few weeks the
situat ton has been materially changed
by the raising of the embargo on arms
and ammunition, allowing the COnsti-
tutionalists to import rifles and artil-
lery from the United States on the
same basis as the Huertistas. The eff
fects OF this action have not yet be
come visible, although the Constitu-
tionalists are now prosecuting d more
vigorous policy in norther Mexico than
ever before 1t has notably quickened
all the anti-Huerta forces in the re-
public and has served to put All end
TO the restlessness Of European ma
tions under the American ''watchfri
waiting" policy
Policy More Vigorous.
The lifting Of the embargo is the hC
ginning of a more vigorous Mexico. !
policy Before many weeks hav,'
passed. other measures will have bci!
taken by the United States calculated
tween this nation and European pow
ers has been reached on Mexican al
fairs.
4 smaller diplomatic tangle, but one
exceedingly difficult, is that present
ed by the claim of Colombia against
the United States government. Col
Cmbia wants redress for the fi]chinS
of Panama from her. She has been
seeking recognition OF her claim be-
fore Congresses for several years. 1t
is probable the present congress Will
compensate her, although not to the
e." 80 - of her claim, which is
100000
I>-.r;it at Wilson has recognized
that his conduct towards the Colon
bian claim, no less than towards Mex
leo, will be taken as a keynote of his
Latin-AmeTican policy. The enemies
OF the United States in South America
are Tery active at present, and are
seeking some method of undermining
growing American influence here
Germany IS particularly aggressive in
opposing the United States in Brazil
and Argentina. The slightest act on
the part of the Wilson administration
having even the surface appearance
of aggression and injustice will be
heralded far and wide in Latin Am