The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-03-19

ment. but that they did not consider it to
be within the spirit Of the treaty of 1901
for the tolls to be related to those ships
Now, it is very evident that the two
things are practically the same, except
that the British government knows per-
fectly we'll that the word "subsidiZe" is
repugnant to our Congress, and it would
seem the British government has made
question of the free tolls with the Unit
ed States simply to raise the question
and conlplicate things. 1t is well known
that the British government controls the
ma ority of the stock in the SueZ Canal,
and it is also well known that by some
system of substituting, English ships
passing through the SueZ Canal are freed
from the burden of payment. Of course,
in this case there was no treaty involved,
but the British government claims the
rg hit to do as it pleases even in this case
where the property is not British ter
ritory.
JUDGING THE NATIONS HONOR.
1t is all very we'll for authorities like
Mr.. Wilson, Mr.. Bryan. Mr.. Lodge, Mr..
Root, and others to state what they
think the treaty means, and to explain
their interpretations of it; but even
these gentlemen have made mistakes,
as they themselves will acknowledge,
and their opinions should not count for
more, therefore, than those of Mr.. Taft,
Mr.. Knox, MIR. Underwood and Speaker
Clark, who hold the opposite view. Ger
tainly these last-named gentlemen are
Just as good judges OF the nation honor
and what is due to her integrity as the
before-named, not to mention the names
of Mr.. Chandler Anderson and Mr.. John
Bassett Moore, who are weli-known au-
thorities on international law. 1t be-
hooves the American people to think Sc
riously through their representativ as
to whether or not the United States will
allow herself to be dictated to by any
nation, especially in matters which con-
Germ her intern al policy, and it also be-
hooves the American people to remem-
Der that while we wish to preserve our
good relations with the British govern
ment, the only way to do so and to make
them respect US is to stand up for our
selves, and for what we think is right
and just. The British government has
|, shown that it's position is not very strong
one wi en- they state that they woulc
not ''insist" on their reqrest for the re-
peal of the free tolls amendment.
SENTIMENTAL BREACH"
Therefore, there is no question of g
breach between England and ourselves,
but purely sentimental one, which Mr..
Wilson's address of yesterday beautifully
| illustrates, that We are $50 big, so pow
erful, SO self-respecting" that we must
accede to the British governments mild
request to let it. dictate to US about ouI
own affairs simply because they made 8
| treaty with US in 1901, which was dis
cussed at that time, is discussed today.
| and will be always open to discussion un-
| less we put our foot down and settle il
| once for all.
| 1t was noticed by all the newspapers
that nearly all the representatives OF
| foreign governments were present Wher
| President Wilson read his address on this
| free tolls question, but the British en-
bassy and all members thereof were con.
spicuously absent. Our English neigh
! bors are often accu sed by US of lack Of
| sense of humor, but it would seem thai
| on this occasion they must have possess
| ed it in the highest degree, and that II
| order not to be forced to laugh in thell
! sleeves or shed sentimental tears, they
stayed at home yesterday like shrewt
diplomats and probably laughed heartily
at their ease-at the idea of Presiden
of the United States pleading for tn
rights of the British government agalns
those of his own country.
GEORGE EUsTIs.
! Washington, D. c., March 9th.