New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1916-11-04

comes the character and dignity
of great, self-respecting Nation
which is unwilling to become a
vassal to either belIigerent. like
"A Balkan State. True. this high
minded neutrality does not please
those among us who are so Ger
man that they want our own coun-
try to be made a battle ground
for the Kaiser, nor those Amcri-
cans who are 50 English that they
draw their patriotic inspiration
from that country rather than
their own. and think we should
have rushed into the war at the
first excuse. But | believe the
great mass of independent, self
respecting people Of this country
the real Americans approx
and feel proud Of what history
will record as the ablest treat
ment of our foreign relations at
this most critical .jnncture Of the
world s history.
With President Wilson s
Mexican policy can not at all
agree. 1t has been a serious mis-
take from the beginning. But
again | say: Who, confronted
with so many difficulties (and
hardly anyone in all history has
had to face more), would not have
made mistakes? And let us not
forget that in this Mexican bust
ness his mistake was on the side
OF Dcace-nOt war.
And while distracted by these
unprecedented foreign difficulties
he has exhibited constructive
craftsmanship and achieved re-
suits in domestic policy that will
make this administration notable
in history. Consider the lst:
"He settled the banking and
currency problem by the Federal
Reserve Act, and settled it wisely
and effectuallv.
"He revised the tariff. and re-
vised it downward. as promised
by all parties.
"He established rural credit !
system for the farming interests.
This has been talked of and
by politicians of both
parties for wears, but Wilson ac-
comp1ished it.
He caused to be enacted a law
against child labor.
For a just Tariff System.
'"He caused to be enacted law
providing for a tariff commission
to study the subject and devise a
lust tariff system. Thew say he
changed his mind to do this. Long
live the man who is big enough to
change his mind to get right.
His administration enacted
the trade commission law. This J
was designed to reduce uncer-
tainty in the law relating to com
binations and to be helpful to bus
mess enterprises. It may or may
not prove success. but it is. at
esat. useful experiment that
will do no harm.
Ellis administration enacted a
aw limiting injunctionis in labor
disputes. This was unwise. but
politicians of both political parties
nave been promising it for wears.
The point is Wilson s administra
ion made good by putting the
aw on the books. T.
"He has put through laws for
'eorganizing the army and navy,
irving them strength and effici-
'ncv undreamed or by his two i'm {
predecessors. now voci-
'erOus in criticism. who had the
opportunity. but failed to do any
hino substantial for the army and
lavy. or for real preparedness.
"He secured the enactment in
modified form of the Shipping
Bill. designed to put American
hips on the seas in foreign trade.
This has been severely criticised
IS governmental invasion of priv
te industry. But american cap
tai has not engaged in foreign
hipping to anv appreciate ex-
ent nj the past. and there seems
ess reason to suppose it will do
0 in the future. OF what use
you'd our big navy be in time of
var without transport and supply
hips? And where are we to get
hem if neither private capital
nr Tho Hovo>,,,vv,o,,A I,,:11c 49,.