The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-03-02

istration in a letter which he wrote to
Governor Morris in December, 1895.
My policy he says, has been, and
will continue to be, while I have the
honor to remain in the administration
of the government, to be upon friendly
terms with, but Independent of, all
the nations of the earth; to share in
the broils Of none to fulfill our own
engagements; to supply the wants
and be carried for them all; being
thoroughly convinced that it is our
policy and interest to do So The same
rule Of conduct in regard to foreign
nations he commends as a permanent
policy in the Farewell Address, Let
us extend our commercial relations
with them, but have as little political
connection as possible. Here is the
classic passage:
Europe has a set of primary
interests, which to us have none, or a
very remote relation. Hence h
must be engaged in frequent con-
troversies, the causes of which are
essentially foreign to our concerns.
Hence therefore it must be unwise in
us to implicate ourselves, by artificial
ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of
her politics, or the ordinary lcombina-
lions and collisions Of her friendships,
or enmities.
"sOur detached and distant situa-
ton invites and enables us to pursue
a different course. N5
"..Why forego the advantages OF so
peculiar a situation? Why quit u own
to stand upon foreign ground? Why,
by Interviewing our destiny with that
| of any part of Europe, entangle our
peace and prosperity in the tolls OF
European ambition, rivalship, interest,
humor OF caprice?
The True Policy.
"'Tis our true policy to steer clear
of permanent alliances with any por-
| ton of the foreign world
"This passage is not encouraging
to the. advocates of international or
CARNATIONS to compel peace among
the nations. And if not by physical
compulsion, at any rate by the pres
sure of public opinion we Americans
should, and l think do, all devoutiy
desire to see peace permanently es-
| IaDllSn6u Ill IuC WOllus II ~ M "
recognized that in the last half CEN
tury the nations of the earth nave
come into closer relations with one
another than yer before, that the
welfare of each is much more lntl-
mately bound up with the welfare OF
I all them in any preceding period IN
the history of the world, and that the
preservation of universal peace is a
matter of individual concern to each
member of the family of nations,
America, for instance, being profound
v affected and it may well be en-
dangered by wars in Europe, Asia or
Africa.
Change Brought About.
"This is a change brought about by
historical evolution which, of course,
could not have foreseen. The ire
mendous problem created by it has
not vet been solved. And though
profoundly sympathize with the OBJECT
of the proposed leagues n concerts
to enforce or establish universal peace
I am unable to convince myself tnat
any method hitherto proposed OF &C
complishing that result will be found
either feasible in itself or desirable
for adoption by the United States
perhaps some progress might pc
made if we focused attention on the
fact that every nation besides being
exclusive sovereign over it. W terri
tory and territorial waters has also
Joint and equal authority with every
| other nation on the high seas, winch,
as we say, are therefore free TO all
On that actual jurdical basis II
seems to be possible, and indeed pro-
bable hat an international structure
might be reared for bringing together
the nations of the world and commits
/ ~sioning those with navies jointly 10
maintain the f~reedomNof the seas ano
to restrain and punish any belllSerent
who infringed on the rights OF neutrals
or violated the established principles
of maritime international law In
other words, if you want to prevent
wars, naval internationalism is the
most hopeful form of attacking the
problem-and that for the reason ina
every nation shares with all others
/ Joint and equal sovereignty over the
high seas"
Freedom of the Seas.
: "But this suggestion of
: al, naval cooperation for the main
: tenance of the freedom of the seas
and the integrity of the maritime law
: of nations, so far from disposlng me
to criticize Washington's policy OF
abstention from participation in Euro
pean politics, only strengthens anc
t confirms my approval and admiration
: of it. 1t is still true that America mas
+ no interest in the European balance
of power or no concern with the
2 dynastic, racial and religious strug-
+ giles or with the territorial ambitions
: and other rivalries which lead foreign
= nornfries to attack one anOther