The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-08

ownership of the railroads Their opera
ton and management must be left in
private ownership. General government
ownership under our political system would
inevitably bring about the mastery of the
government by those who operate the ma
chinery of transportation or of any other
industries which come into government
possession. The rights of the general pub
lict for whom all industries exist, would
disappear under this scheme and nothing
would be left to the people except the duty
Of paying taxes to support the roads.
Our government must not be dominated
by any one man or any class or any select
ed body of men who represent a part of
the people and not the whole people. More
over, in the United States, government own
whether IL involves transportation or tele-
graphic and telephone communication or
shipbuilding or manufacturing, is very
inefficient and wasteful system, badly
managed and certain to be intOlerably
burdensome to the taxpayers.
During the time in which the govern
ment undertook to manage the railroads
they sustained despite a generous increase
In freight rates a loss of over million
dollars a day and the total payments out
of the treasury to support the railroads
have reached the. enormous sum of one and
three quarters billions Of dollars. There
was universal dissatisfaction with the gov
eminent management and it was Il just dis
satisfaction The experiment failed and
should not be renewed
From domestic affairs, which have only
touched upon briefly, let us turn to foreign
questions, to our relations with the world
of other nations. Look first at one of the
most pressing Importance just beyond
our own borders. Look Mt Mexico. For
seven years the United States has been
pursuing under the direction Of the presi-
dent a policy of 'watchful waiting"
Need of a Firm Hand.
We have watched and waited long
enough. 1t is time that this condition,
disgraceful to US and ruinous to Mexico,
should cease. We need firm hand at the
hello. We need u man who will think not
only of the right of the United States but
people woHId not resent the influence
intervention OF the United States if it
would only help to bring them peace under
a president of their own choosing.
The great mass OF the Mexican people
wish to work and earn money. They long
to be able to sleep in peace and not be
subject to pillage and outrage. Thousands
of them look TO us for help.
Let the MeXicans choose as their presi-
dent some strong and upright man who
is friendly to the United States and de-
termines to establish order and then let
the United States give him a real and
cordial support, and SO strengthen and up
hold him that he will be able to
nigh completely ruined one of the finest
the unceasing civil war which has well
night completely ruined one of the finest
and most valuable countries on the face
of the earth.
We must watch and wait no longer.
We must have a man who has u policy
and who will act
Nothing can ever be accomplished under
the Wilson administration or any admin
IN sympathy Win II.
The time has come to put an end to this
Mexican situation, which is a shame to the
United States and disgrace to our clviliza-
ton. II we are to take part in pacify1ng
and helping the world let us begin here
at home In Mexico. If we assert and pro-
tect the Monroe doctrine against Europe,
also accept and fulfill the duties and
spOnsibilities which that doctrine imposes.
The president has been unable or I'M
willing to do anything for Mexico, where
civil war was ragged for years, where
exists and where the people are
suffering. But he thinks it our duty to
take a mandate for Armenia, which would
involve our sending an army there for an
Indefinite time and which would cost in
Guiding the army and civil expenditures
275 millions for the first year. besides en-
tangling us in all the quarrels and in
trigues of Asia Minor and the surrounding
Mexico lies at our doors. 1t is
a primary duty for us to deal with it
under the Monroe doctrine, but nothing
has been done and yet We are asked to
take q mandate for Armenia.
The American people have n deep sym
pathy for Armenia. They have already
given over 40 million dollars for the relief
Of those starving and suffering people,
sistance and who have established a gov
eminent. We are anxious to help Armenia
shall do so. but TO take a mandate to con-
troll, protect and govern that country would
involve our sending our sons and brothers
to serve and sacrifice their lives in Armenia
for an Indefinite time.
This is a mandate which we in the senate
of the United States think should not be
undertaken. 1t Is a plan to get us in
volved in the responsibilities Of the League
of Nations and all the wars in which it
may be engaged. without our being a mem
Der of the League. To such a proposition
the only answer is plain refusal
On the other hand what the president has
neglected. like condition among an I'M
fortunate people at our very doors-we
must take up and by a wise and firm
policy restore Mexico to the position which
she ought to occupy and thereby help and
world and extend the reign of peace.
AS the great war in Europe pushed
Mexico into the background and turned
the thoughts of all away from 1t, so there
is at this moment another great question
of our relations to the civilized world
armistice with Germany was signed the
course to be pursued was clear.
1t was urged by Republican senators
afterwards. That course was to make
the peace with Germany at once and then
take up for reasonable consideration the
lions with our associates in the war as
would make for the future peace of the
world; If this had been done we could
months after the armistice.
This Mr.. Wilson prevented. He went to
Europe with the greatest opportunity for
large service to the world ever offered to
any one man. He insisted going him
self for he trusted no one else. We then
friendship of every European nation, which
thanks to the president We possess no
longer.
If Mr. Wilson had said: I'VE came here
to help you win this war in defense of
civilization. The war is won All we now
insist upon is that Germany shall be put
in such a Iostion as not to be able again
to threaten the peace and freedom Of man
kind. Our own questions in the Ameri-
can hemisphere we will care for ourselves.
We have interests in the Far East which
We shall wish to have protected, but your
own European questions You must settle
and we will accept the settlement to which
you agree. We are not here seeking terri
tory or to dictate what you shall do in
regard to either territory or boundaries"
Then indeed we should have been en-
titled to the gratitude of the world not
only for our decisive services in the war
but for generous assistance in making a
lasting peace.
But Mr.. Wilson did not do this. He
had apparently only one aim, to be the
maker Of a league of which he should
be the head. He was determined that
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