The Washington times., 1914-05-19
THE CASE FOR ARBITRA-
TON.

selves to the Panama tolls contro-
versy, yesterday agreed thai they
would be plea sed to have the whole
difference between this country and
Great Britain GO to arbitration. They
we're Sutherland of Utah, extremely
conservative Republican; Works of
California, extremely progressive
Republican; and Williams of Missis-
sippi, progressive Democrat.
This brings in a representation of
about all the classes of political
thought and opinion. II is difficult
to conceive an effective reason to be
urged against arbitration. 1t is the
one straightforward, highly honor
able and creditable way out of our
complication.
To say that repeal of the free
tolls measure would ne generous and
handsome treatment of the rest of
the world, Dies not get to the point.
The rest Of the world does no. want
generous treatment; 1t wants exactly
square deal. The people of the
United States are not fools enough
to want to be doing the 'geperous"
and the handsome" thing in a mat
ter in which the vital interest and
the national honor are liable to be
involved, if indeed they are not al
ready. There is just one proper way
to settle such = controversy as this.
1t is the way prescribed by our az
bitTation treaties. 1t would be un-
utterably and unthinkably hypocriti-
cal for this nation to give it's ardent
support to arbitration and world
peace propaganda when we have
nothing to arbitrate, and then re-
fase to abide by our own measures
when q dispute arises.
If President Wilson would remove
the bar Of his positive i1sistence on
unconditional repeal. there is little
uncertainty about the result. The
whole tolls controversy would go to
arbitration ard would he settled for
all time.
On the other side, there is no
chance for a permanent settlement
by the procedure on which the Presi-
dent insists. Last year it was free
tolls, and everybody favor ed il. This
year We turn stiuarcly about, and il
is TO be repeal of free tolls. What
about next year? Why. it is as plain
as anything need b". that rs soon as
one of the opposition parties comes
into power there will promptly be a
rehabilitation of the tolls issue, and
the effort will be made tc repeal the
repeal bill, ard return to the original
plan of discrimination in favor of
certain classes Of American vessels.
Thus there is no chance for a per-
manent ard lasting settlement of the
controversy save through arlitra-
ton of it. As nation, we are CON-
mitted to that program, and a reso-
luticn has been presented in the Sen
ate by Mr.. Norris Of Nebraska, which
is believed 10 be gaining strength as
the debate progresses. This resoiu-
tion provides for sending the whole
question to rhc Hague tribunal, for
final determination.
Rather than surrender the whole
case of the American nation without
ever an attempt to defend it. surelu
there ought to be IN effort - PASS
this arbitration measure. We may
be defeated in an arbitration. II may
be found that the Judges would have
interests counter TO orr owr that
would make ary other outcome i'm
possible. But that rannot be helped
How. 1t is still better to accept the
arhitramcNt of the best and most
appropriate tribunal OF earth, than
to make an unconditional! Surrender
without ever an effort 20 determine
whether we have rights in the prem
iSn-