New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-24


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Unpahiotic Politics
The Mason resolution which is be-
fore the House Committee on For
eign Affairs ought net to be report
ed out. It respectfully urges the
- President to recognize an indepen-
dent republic alleged to have been
s established by the people Of Ireland.
-, Recognition Of a newly established
foreign state is an Executive func-
ton. The President has the sole
power to determine whether such
,nrecognition is justified. He requires
''sno advice from Congress in the mat
ter. And, according to numerous
presidents, any expression of opin-
o, ion by Congress, or either branch of
Congress, as to the ACCESSIBILITY Of
extending recognition is held by the
executive department to have no
more weight than the expression of
ANY casual gathering Of citizens.
Congress has often abused the sit
tauation created by it's own lack of re-
"a sponsibility in the actual conduct Of
foreign relations to play cheap poll
stics. It has passed resolutions mani
testify intended for political effect at
home, regardless of the offense which
might be given to foreign nations by
whom American methods Of election
ieering are not fully understood.
The hearts Of Congressman bleed for
unborn republics whenever they
e think votes at home may be gained
thereby-the more so since they
know any action they may take tow
ard bringing such republics into the
family of nations represents only a
perfunctory and pious wish and en-
tails no personal embarrassment.
Recognition of de facto govern
ment is a matter usually preceded by
careful practical inquiry. Does the
claimant meet the conventional tests
Of sovereignty? Has it seat Of
government? Has it customs serv-
ice or a postal service? Does it emit
currency? Has it organized military
forces in control of the territory or
major part Of the territory said to
be under its control? 1t is unrea-
sonable to hold that there lis a repub-
lie OF Ireland which can meet such
tests at the present moment. What
ever the House Committee on For
eign Affairs or the House itself may
do with the Mason rexolution, and
whatever Secretary Colby may have
said privately to Democratic men,
bers Of the House, it is preposterous
to assume that the President would
recognize the Irish republic" Of to-
day because of q Congressional ex-
preston Of faith in its eligibility for
recognition.
Chairman Porter realizes tho in
eptitude and partisan profiteering
involved In passing Mr.. Mason's
resolution. He sought to block pas
sage by extracting letter of pro-
test from Secretary Colby. The lat
ter handed hack the buck by politely
declining to give any advice at this
stage, but intimating that the Ad-
ministratfon saw no objection to
letting Congress play fast and loose
with the Irish issue.
Great harm is done to our rela-
lions with the powers with which
we must act to maintain the peace
Of the world by vagrant and often
insincere declarations by Congress
which figure abroad as responsible
Judgments on the part of the gov
eminent Of the United States. They
j are not that. They are merely a
part OF the comedy Of domestic
| politics. congressman are fond Of
: playing comedy and even melodrams
in Presidential years. But there are
| some foIiies which ought to be
banned. Tho Mason resolution is
one Of them. It Is objectionable
! that Secretary Colby didn't frankly
tell Chairman Porter Whit Mr.
Porter himself already knows-ehai
! the Administration couldn't think
! OF recognizing an Irish republic un.
til It had concrete evidence that such
; republic really exists.