Evening times-Republican., 1914-02-18
PLACE As CHAIRMAN OF FOREIGN
RELATIONS COMMITTEE Diff
CULT TO FILL.
COMMITTEE HAS LARGE
POWERS IN TIME OF CRISIS
In Times Of International sTrovbls
Members May influence War Or
Peace and Influence Sometimes Ex.
eesds That Of Secretary Of State
Party Partsanship Has No Place.
Especial Correspondence

Washington. Feb. 1S.-Death of Sen
ator Augustus o. Bacon, of Georgia
chairman of the senate committee on
foreign relations, has served to direct
attention to the personnel Of one Of the
most important committees Of con-
gress. On the makeup Of this body
much may at almost any time depend
as to the foreign relations of the coun-
try. 1t is In many respects OF more
moment that the foreign relations COM
mittee be made up. of strong and ca
pable senators than that the state de-
partment itself be headed by strong
secretary. In any international crisis
the foreign relations committee is like
ly to play a foremost part.
Has Large Powers.
Just at this time, when internation
al relations OF this country are in a
condition which is far from satisfactory
to say the least, the foreign relations
committees attitude is worth careful
consideration. 1t has in its hands to a
large degree the power to direct the
country's foreign policies.
This arises from the fact that all
diplomatic appointments are referred
to the foreign relations committee and
all treaties are referred to 1t. If it
comes to the conclusion man is un-
fit for appointment. the senate will ac-
cept its View of il almost as mat
ter of course If It rejects treaty.
the senate is practically certain to do
likewise. On the other hand, the
chances are much in favor Of any rec
ommendation it makes being ratified by
the senate. So it is likely TO prove in
the arbitration treaties. The president
has convinced most OF the senator's on
the foreign relations committee that
the ratification of these treaties is es-
sential al this time and the treaties
will apparently be ratified.
Not Partisan.
One of the unusual things about the
foreign relations committee is that 1t
is considered in senate ethics as a
place where party politics should not
enter While it is true that partisan
ship is frequently displayed there. on
the other hand. if a question involving
the welfare of the country seriously
with respect to International matters
comes before the committee. politics
is regarded as barred. 1t Is tradition
in the committee that party lines stop
at the border and the result is that
the really big international questions
are as a rule taken up in the commit
tee in a non partisan way. Any pres
ident who finds himself called on to
take a vigorous stand on an interna-
tional question can count on the back
ing Of the foreign relations body. AS
a rule. in fact, this committee is pretty
vigorously American and 1t has been
known on slight provocation to get
bellicose and to flourish the big stick.
Bacon a Conservative.
Senator Bacon was extremely con-
servative and seldom was found advo-
eating an aggressive foreign policy He
has been desi-ous OF going slow with
respect to Mexico. If Senator Stone
succeeds him. the committee will have
at it's head a chairman who is friendly
to Intervention in Mexico by the United
States. II Senator Stone does not
want this chairmanship, Senator Shive-
" of Indiana. will be entitled to it as
a matter OF rank but the democratic
caucus will settle it.
The foreign relations committee has
on it several men who are fully con-