Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-02-13
Our FOREIGN Relations

According to Washington dispatches there is pros
pect that the effort to repeal the exemption clause
in the Panama Canal act will lead, in the Senate, to
a general discussion of our foreign relations. The
canal discussion will not have been in vain, whatever
its result, if it can be made to lead to a better
understanding of some things but little understood.
Without qnastinqine the notifies Of eithor the PRESS
dent or secretary Of state, we Lave been trusting too
much to their presumed infallibility in the manage.
ment of our foreign relations. In looking over the
messages land documents of the Presidents, we find
that MI. AVilson has had the rare felicity of going
longer WITHOUT an inquiry of some sort, or q call for
state papers in some particular case, than any of his
predecessors. Usually. these inquiries have been fire.
quent, even in times of world peace. while in time of
war in which any powers with which we have main
tanned seaose and friendly relations were involved,
they have beca quite numerous. Always, the records
disclosc,~W.en there has been war in Mexico, the
President and secretary have been almost deluged
in this @way. Even Mr.. Lincoln, harassed and men
accd by internal war, had to turn aside often, either
to pc. NIT Or refuse the sending of papers demanded
by "Copperheads' in Congress as to what we were
intending to do for the help Of the Mexicans against
Macmillan.
President Wilson has been fortunate in this re.
speet. .Apnring the special session, two great ques-
tons Ns#e under constant debate and obscured near.
= ~ SAAb6t SAoSs oOA0S ! CAAO0O ~ = OA00y SOAAN
caused a small furry when asking for information as
to the nature of the credentials Of William Bayard
Hale, which was never furnished, at least, publicly.
AT that time Senator Bacon, chairman of the Senate
committee on foreign relations, fearing the precipi-
tatlon OF a flood Of inquiries, pleaded with his col.
leagues of both parties to refrain. His influence, and
the confidence of the country in the Presidents In
tegrity, led to a silence which has since continued.
There is no diminution in the %country's confidence
In the Presidents intention to do the best thing as
he sees. it, but it would like to know how, he sees it.
1t is possible to know how he might be aided In
getting a clearer view Of things through the CO.
operation and trained intelligence Of men in Congress
Whose experience in such matters is larger than his
or that of Secretary Bryan.
Senator OGorman of New York, one of the Sen.
ators opposing a repeal Of the exemption clause in
the Panama act, is mentioned in the dispatches as
one who may be expected to lead in any general dis.
crssion9 of our foreign relations. The New York
Senator is well equipped for such a discussion. His
fine legal and judicial mind, his great sl6arning and
his wide experience, all qualify him admirably for
such a leadership. His leadership would be-, too, a
pledge of sincerity, he bSing a Democrat and not
open to any charge of partfsanship in any position
1he mayctake concerningsthe acts Of the administra.
ton, ol%any demand he may make upon it for infor.1
nation. 1t cannot be denied that an administration
winch, in its foreign relations, reaches the point of
calling upon Congress to repeal its own acts under
the urging of a foreign power, should not complain il
such a. de.nand leads to inquiry and discussion of the
nature and tendency of our foreign policy in general.
Some of those South African reports recall the
time: when the snake story was considered the real
test Of fitness for membership in an Ananias club.
1t izaa4$ften difficult to put. a law into force before
an elaborate program for it's evasion has been con.
structedsx