The Washington herald., 1920-10-18
Let's Stick to Home Affairs.

league of nations, and therefore without any
definite for concerning itself with the
cchnicalites of European boundary lines, the United
States has certain demands" to make upon Poland
in the hour OF her victory over the Russian Reds.
This government, it seems, will not recognize as
valid any boundaries OF Russia the result Of
a treaty with Poland unless those boundaries ap-
proved by the Russian people themselves speaking
through such representative government as the
United States can recognize"
No such government exists now in Russia, and
the possibility OF one being created in the mme-
datc future is slight The present government with
which the POle> have to deal is one with which the
United States vH not deal Should the Lenine-
Irotsky regime be overthrown, and Russian gov
ernment be established to liking it is reasonable
70 anticipate that its first would be to repudate
all that has been done by its predecessor, including
the establishment OF the Russo-Polish bound
AIRY.
1t Is obvious that all that can result from this
refusal OF our government to agree TO a boundary
which is accepted by Poland and by such govern
ment as Russia is pleased to maintain is an in
definite prolongaton OF the conditions OF unrest
prevailing in that section OF Europe Pretending to
desire peace above all things the present admnira-
tion is wantonly proIongng the war there as it is
'tubbornly opposing the return to the conditions OF
peace here.
1t would be difficult to discover anywhere in the
United States any interest in the precise lines OF
boundary between Poland and Russia that would
justify our government in setting itself up as die
tator in this fashion
Our people engrossed in the everyday al
fairs OF this country They are anxious to get back
upon peace basis, in prices in volumsof produc-
ton, in the cost OF living, and in taxation These
are issues enough to engage even d more competent
administration than this To reach out overseas
and to mix in complications OF which the
people OF the United States thought themselves well
nd IS worse than foly-it is a blunder which the
people may well resent at the polls
Just what may follow our refusal to recognize
the boundaries proposed by the pending treaty it is
dthIcuIt TO fOresee. We shall scarcely send our
army and navy over TO have these boundaries eradi-
C"'cd until such time as Russia may erect a govern
ment to our liking, and Poland be ready to make a
new treaty with it, Shall our postofce regulations
continue to class Russian cities places which are
coded to Poland' If 50 will letters directed in
compliance with our rules be delivered at all:
More than hall a century ago stubborn Wash
nSton administration made itself ridiculous and was
easily Worsted in controversy of this nature with
the Central American state OF Colombia The Pan
anna Railroad had just been completed and this gov
eFnment desired to honor its CHIEF promoter by Civ
ing the name "Aspinwalr" TO the town at it, Car
Tlooean end. But that town happened TO be in Col
om0Isn territory, and the Colombians did not see
any merit in the idea OF letting foreign nation pick
names tor their towns. Besides they thought that
Chrlstobal Colon who discovered America was
quite as important the Yankee who built the
Isthmian railway. So they called the town Colon
Determined to maintain the dignity OF the
l nted States our Postofice Department directed
that letters Tor this town should be addressed TO
ASpnwaL Presently packed mail sacks began
coming back from the Colombian postofice labelled
with the Spanish equivalent for No such Office in
state named In hope Of assuagng the OUTRAGED
feelings OF our neighbors the State Department ac-
credited consul to the town, but stubbornIv
named 'Asplnwall his post The Colombian GOV.
ernnent refused to receive him. In pioue our ad
minlstration refused to name another consul for
years But 1t was period of Democratic ascend
ancy at Washington. So good piece OF PATRONAGE
could not be LETT unused for long. and at last We
save way Colon" it is today. and we filled n.
Colombian cup Of triumph fuller by naming the ad-
Joining American town at the canals mouth "Chrs-
tobsl"
lhis historic incident teaches that it IS foolish
i'f nation to meddle in the affairs Of another
even though they be neighbors But wbv in tbe
name OF all the fourteen points should we want 70
interfere with the agreement OF Russia and poI,rd
as to their dividing line?