Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-02-23
POLE STAR OF j. 5.
FOREIGN POLICY
DR.. Schurman Says Time Has
Not Come to Abandon Prece-
dents of Washington.
AVOID EUROPEAN ISSUES

quarter. still remains the pole star OF
American foreign policy declared
Jacob Gould Schurman, president Of
Cornell university. today in all adj
dress before the University OF Penn
svigaua. which suspended its regular
academic functions for exercises in
celebration OF Washington's birth
day
DR.. Schurman recalled how Wash
iugton attended commencement at
the University OF Pennsylvania in
May. H75-then known as the Col
lege OF Philadelphia company
with the other members OF the Sec
ond Continental congress. Toward
the conclusion OF his address, DR..
Schurman, after having discussed
Washington's pre-eminence as SOL
der and statesman, his Americanism
and his insistence on American rights,
said
washington described the policy
OF his administration in letter which
he wrote to Gouverneur Morris in
December, 1875. My policy he
says. has been. and will continue to
be, while ! have the honor to remain
in the administration OF the govern
ment, to be upon friendly terms with.
but independent OF all the nations oil
the earth; to share in the broils OF
none; to fulfil our own engagements;
TO supply the wants and be carriers
for them all; being thoroughly con
WINGED that it is our policy and inter-
est TO do so
From His Farewell Address.
"rhe same rule OF conduct in re-
gard 20 foreign nations he commends
as permanent policy in the Fare
well Address Let US extend our
commercial relations with them, but
have as little political connection as
possible. Here is the classic passage;
"Europe has set OF primary M
tcrests, which to US have none, or
very remote relation, Hence it mn
be engaged in frequent controversien
The causes OF which are essentially
foreign TO our concerns. Hence, there
lore. il must be unwise in us to I'M
plicate ourselves by artificial ties in
the ordinary vicissitudes OF its poll
tics or the ordinary combinations and
collisions OF its friendships or enmi-
ties.
"'Our detached and distant situa-
ton invites and enables us to pursue
different course.
"Why forego the advantages OF so
peculiar situation? Why quit our
own to stand upon foreign ground?
Why. by Intervening our destiny
with that OF any part of Europe, en-
tangle our peace and prosperity in the
tolls OF European ambition, rivalship,
interest. humor or caprice!
"'Tis our true policy to steer clear
Of permanent alliances with any por-
ton OF xhe foreign world
What the Passage Means.
This passage is not encouraging
10 the advocates of international or
CARNATIONS to compel peace among
the nations. And il not by physical
conpulsion, at any rate by the pres
sure OF public opinion, we Americans
should, and | think do, all devoutly
desire to see peace permanently es-
tablished in the world. II must be
recognized that in the last half cen
fury the nations of the earth have
come into closer relations with one
another than ever before, that the
welfare OF each is much more init
mateIy bound up with the welfare OF
all than 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 pro-
foundly affected and it may well be
endangered by wars in Europe, Asia
or Africa.
This is change brought about
by historical evolutions which. OF
course, could not have been foreseen,
The tremendous problem created by
it has not yet been solved. And
though ] profoundly sympathize with
the object OF the proposed leagues
and concerts to enforce OF. establish
universal peace, ] am unable to con-
vince myself that any method hitherto
proposed of accomplishing that re-
suit will be found either feasible in
itself or desirable for adoption by the
United States,
One Plan Suggested.
perhaps some progress might be
made If we focused attention on the
fact that every nation besides being
exclusive sovereign over its own ter
ritory and territorial waters, has also
Joint and equal authority with every
other nation on the high seas, which,
as we say, are therefore free to all.
On that actual juridicial basis it seems
to me possible, and indeed probable,
that an international structure might
be reared for bringing together the
nations of the world and commission
ing those with navies jointly to main
tain the freedom OF the seas and to
restrain and punish any belligerent
who infringed on the rights of neu-
trails or violated the established prin-
ciples OF maritime international law
In other words, il you want to pre-
vent wars, naval internationalism is
the most hopeful form Of attacking
the problem, and that for the reason
that every nation shares with all
others joint and equal sovereignty
over the high seas.
Emphasizes Washington's View.
.But this suggestion Of international
naval cooperation for the mainte-
nance OF the freedom OF the seas and
the integrity OF the maritime law OF
nations, SO far from disposing me
TO criticise Washington's policy Of
abstention from participation in Euro
pean politics. only strengthens and
confirms my annroyal and admiration