The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1916-02-17
Washington Letter
lFrom Our Regular Corrcspondcntl

dent Wilson has returned from his first
stumping tour cverjoyed al the size oI
the crowds which turned out to see
him, apparently unconscious Of the in
consistencies in his speeches and the
incongruities between them and the
course OF other members Of his Admin
istration during his absence. Tie
presidents enthusiasm over the crowds
which turned out to hear him recall
the pertinent story Of certain distin'
tinguished Republican who was can
didate for high Office in 1900, when
William Mckinley was running against
William J. Bryan. Astounded at the
crowds which came to hear him and his
fellow Republican speakers in the West,
this statesman, having completed his
speech, left the platform and addressed
a citizen on the edge Of the crowd.
Did you ever have as big crowd in
this town beiore2" He inquired.
"Yes once" was the laconic reply.
when was that2" when Bryan
spoke here replied the towusman.
Somewhat abashed, the statesman ven
tured another question. Did you ever
have bigger crowd in this town."
he asked. Yes once" the townsman
again replied. why, when was that2"
asked the surprised Republican. "A
bout a year ago." WIS the reply. 1t
were when we had breach h'of-promise
case at the Courthouse in the morning
and a circus in the afternoon" The
newspapermen who accompanied the
President say that his crowds were
larger but they greatly doubt the snu'
cess OF the trip from the political stand
point, or even from the secondary con-
sideration, the making Of converts TO
preparedness.
POLITICAL DIPL0MACY:-One Of
the most grievous sins OF the Wilson
Administration has been its conscience
less utilization Of foreign affairs for po'
liical END and striking instance OF
this has just occurred. Under the
immediate supervision Of Mr. wilson,
Secretary BRYAN negotiated treaty
with Colombia. In order 10 reflect on
the Roosevelt Administration and its
requirement Of the Panama Canal Zone
the United States was made by Mr..
Bryan to agree 10 pay 10 Colombia an
indemnity Of SIS ,OO0,0 and to en-
body in the treaty an apology for the
course Of the United States. Expert
enced statesmaen, including both
Democratic and Republican Senators,
begged the President not TO permit the
treaty 10 be signed. assuring him that
tha Senate never could be induced 10
ratiEy such an agreement and that if he
caused Mr.. Bryan TO sign it it could
only unwarantably raise the hopes o.
the Columbians and ultimately in their
believing the United States guilty o!
bad faith As usual, Mr.. Wilson turn
ed deaf ear to all advice and even as
serted that the treaty contained no
apology. He caused Mr., Bryan tc
sign it and the Colombian Senate rati'
fed It. The treaty has been long
pending in the Foreign Relations Com
mittee OF our Senate and has this week
been amended by reducing the ind m
nifty TO SIS, 100000 and greatly modi'
lying the apology which, despite Mr..
Wilson's denials, it was found TO con
tain. Even in this form there is little
likelihood that the Senate will ratify it
but already the Coiombans are intense
ly indignant. Their Minister is charg
ing the United States with bad faith
and the Presidents willingness to plat
politics in his dealing with this little
South American country has more thai
undone all the good his Administration
may have accomplished in its eff,rts 10
cultivate the friendship Of the Repub
lies to to the South OF US.
PLAYING POLITICS WITH GER
MANY:-Again 1t is announced iron
the White House thai is =
grave crisis" with Germany. The Ger
man government has sreed to indem
nify the heirs Of those lost On tn