Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-11-12
FRIDAY. NOVEMBER IL, 1920
Signs of the Coming Conflict.

Signs OF the coming Sohiie'.
II ia inevitable that when the incoming
Republican national administration settles
dow, On real business there will be large
amount of contention among the numef-
nus and discordant elements when com
biped under the banner of the Repuplican
marty AZ the recent election and gave II inc
most tremendous victory ever credited 10
a politicsl party in this country. lhese
inconsrlous elements found common
pIatform throughout the campaign IN DIT
ter hostility 10 the Wilson administration
and all It's works. but there is not the re-
motest probability it will find common
ground upon which to stand in support OF
the policies of the Harding adminlstra-
ton. whatever they may prove TO oe-for
q, present they are an uncertain quantity
DSsension over the Treaty OF Peace
and the League OF Nations is absolutely
a.r,red Notwithstanding Mr.. Hardings
orcn declaration for rejection OF the
League during his campaign, and his post
election assertion that it Is now "decesis-
Cd there are elements in the coming
Congress that will insist upon its resurrec-
noa and final acceptance after amend
ments and reservations deemed accept
able or soothing to the perturbed minds OF
those Republicans who insisted 50 valiant
lv during the campaign that the best nope
for League of Nations was in the election
of Harding TO the Presidency. And there
are other public questions the considera-
tion of which will fail entirely 10 COMMAND
unanimous acceptance as sound hepub-
lcan policy.
An important and suggestive news item
If Yesterday pointed out clearly one nm
rortant issue that will divide the councils
Of Mr.. Harding and the Republican leaders
OF the Siyty-seventh Congress. 1t was
public statement by Theodore Z. Burton
of Ohio. elected Representative IN Con
greas from Cleveland district, that nc was
ready TO fight 70 the limit any proposal
that would exempt American vessels from
the payment Of tolls for navigating the
Panama Canal. Mr. Burton IS an eX-
perienced public man, having served
several terms in the House and one term
m the senate before voluntarily gong INTO
n retirement from which he was dragged by
ms people during the campaign OF TINS
year.
This subject is among those that VIII
eorne 70 the front during the Harding al
ministration. probably very early IN the
sitting Of the new Congress to be called IN
rpccial session after the fourth OF March
II has long been cause Of contention,
and an set calling for such exemption was
passed bv one Congress and vetoed by
President Wilson. The Republican plat
form adopted by the Chicago convention
this wear favored exemption by this ex-
plcit declaration: we reconmed that all
ships engaged in coastwise trade and all
vessels Of the American Merchant Marine
shall pass through the Panama Canal with
out payment of tolls"
There are certain interests that will
olamor for this favoring exception, ano
many majority members Of the next Con-
Sress Will support them But not Mr.
Burton He recognizes the fact that such
an exemption would be violation OF
treaty formally entered into by our coun-
ny in respect Of the use Of the great water
way that connects the Atlantic and the
Pacific This treaty, negotiated by John
HAY. Secretary OF State, and Sir Julian
Paunoefote, British Ambassador TO this
country. and proclaimed February %. 1902
u Il l.
1.-The canal shall be free and open
TO the vessels of commerce and OF
war of all nations observing these
rules. on terms Of entire equality, so
that there shall be no discrimination
against any such nation, or it's citi-
zens and subjects, in respect OF the
conditions or charges of traffic, or
otherwise. Such conditions and charg-
es shall be just and equitable"
Notwithstanding the plain and specific
declaration Of this treaty agreement
there are prominent Republicans, Senator
Harding among them, who have publicly
declared themselves in favor Of extending
the discriminating favor Of free tolls to
American vessels at least those engaged In
coastwise trade. To such public men a
solemn treaty appears to be as much q
mere scrap of paper" as the treaty which
secured the neutrality Of Belgium was to
the naughty German Empire in 1914
But Republicans of the character and
cahbre Of representative Burton, for
tunately will not consent to what would
be an act Of infafny on the part Of ou1
country as long as this Hay-Pauncefote
Treaty remains in force
The Red Cross roll call is meeting with
sucoess-of course. That organization has
shown most conclusively that it is an