Arizona republican., 1915-12-12
The Lodge Amendment

There could be no objection to the Lodge amendment, presented good faith, lution offered in the Friday by Hoke Smith of Georgia for investigation by ress of interference by Great Britain with commerce on the high seas. But if is the purpose the amendment cloud the object O the resclu- ton there should be serious objection not really appear that there is much left to investi gate under the amendment. All the fact concerning the sinking of the Lusitania the Arabic, the Gull flight and other vessels, American foreign, where American lives were lost have been pretty thor oughly gone over ard all these cases are supposed be in a fair way settlement between United States and Germany.
 At any rate, have heard loudly pro claimed that ir the negotiations following each these incidents government by the 'frmness' of attitude and the "vigor' it's language has notable diplomatic victory.
 We agree with Senator Lodge that a single American life is a far important matter than a bale of American cotton; it is a important matter than the cargoes of all American vessels that have been seized by British cruisers. But, inasmuch as the loss of American lives has been settled far that be done, the professed satisfaction of government there seems no why should compcate an unsettled question by the re-opening of a matter that all have regarded having been placed II a way o adjustment
 We have professed to be satisfied with the concessions made by Germany our point of view and it's promises to refrain m the future from those practices of which have complained. the professed satisfaction of government real t intended only for home consumption, to feed the vanity of the American people by making them believe that our government had a victory when. in fact, it had suffered rebuff?
 But dispute with Britain is in a different shape Not only have concessions been made but a courteous reply has been sent to the presidents note month ago. couched in such vigorous words" that the press resented them unfriendly. The London government however, seems have shared the interest of the press either the meaning or the language of note
 Inasmuch the offenses against which the note protested have not ceased but have been re- peated from time time without evoking either word or action from the department, it seems proper that congress should take hand in the matter and ascertain whether complaints against British practices well founded
 The Lodge amendment further proposes that congress shall look into the conspiraces with Ger man connections, for the violation of our neutrality and for the destruction of American property used in the manufacture of munitions of war. The courts have been, and are yet pretty busy looking into these matters and with fair success. They have convicted and punished many of the conspirators and though they have not definitely connected Ger man representatives. in this country with any of these conspracies they have left little doubt of the guilt of some of them and have that they be removed from the country. Congress is not so well equipped for this work of discovery and prosecution as the department of justice which is moving very vigorously.
 The Smith resolution is not so much intended to investigate British interference with our com merce it is to investigate the reasons for the apathy of the administration. All facts concern ing the alleged British offenses are already sc well known and the rights Americans under interna- tonal law clear that a congressional nvesti- sation could not carify that part of the situation The problem to be investigated lies White House and the state department.