Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-29
Woodrow Wilson
AS ! KNOW HIM
BY JOSEPH P. TUMULTY.

I I am bound to take cognizance of
the fact that by reason of our at
titude on Panama tolls our treaties
are discredited in every chancellery
of Europe, where we are looked upon
as nation that does not live up to
! it's plighted word. We may have
made a very bad bargain with Eng
| land on. Panama tolls, but it will
| be all the more credit to us if we
stand by an agreement, even when
| it entails a sacrifice on our part.
! The men who were parties to this
treaty like Joseph Choate, all agree
| that we have been indulging in hair
splitting and that we have done a
great injustice to England. I ought
not, therefore, to be afraid, because
of the antagonism that will be Gre
ated, to do my duty and risk my
political future, if necessary, in
righting a great wrong. We can
not expect to hold the friendship of
France and Japan, if we are to
| treat agreements not as inViolable
contracts, but as mere matters of
convenience, whose plain terms are
| to be ignored when matt of eX-
| Irish, through the Hearst newspa-
pers, will cry out that I have sur
rendered to England, that I am at
| tempting to hand over to Europe
quasi-control over the Panama Ca
nal. AS a matter of fact, we are in
| bad by reason of our attitude on
Panama tolls with various leading
nations of Europe, and some unfore-
seen contingency may arise where
| it will be found that the reason for
their withdrawal, of friendship for
us was our petty attitude in this
matter. realize, as you urge, that
the leaders of our party will be found
in opposition, but must forget this
and try to work the matter out so
| that at least I still have cleared my
skirts and have done what is posi-
| BILE for me to do to right great
| wrong"
When the president concluded his
statement I put before him the pos
sible reaction against his administra-
ton and him personally which might
be reflected in the returns of the con-
| gressional elections to be held that
year. He replied by saying, Il have
calculated every element in the sit
uation and I have concluded where
the path of duty lies. II We begin
to consider the effect upon our own
| political fortunes Of every step we
| take in these delicate matters OF
our foreign relations, America will
be set adrift and her word ques-
toned in every court in Europe. 1t
is important that every agreement
that America subscribes her name
to shall be carried out in the spirit
of those who negotiated it."
Opposition in His Party
On March 5, 1914, the president ad-
dressed congress ard asked for a re-
peal of Panama tolls and Immediate
Iy the fierce fires of party opposition
began to burn. His party leaders ex-
pressed their opposition to the re-
ueWal in open, honorable and vigor.
Gus fashion and the fight was won.
Now that the leading Democrats in
the senate and house had left us. 1t
was necessary for us to reorganize
our forces at, once. This task de-
volved upon me and I Immediately
cot in touch with younger men or
the house, like Mitchell Palmer,
Judge Covington, and that sturdy
Republican from Minnesota. Fred
Stevens. and over night we had
militant organization in the trenches:
prepared to meet the onslaught or
our enemies.
The president was adamant under
the bitterest criticism. His attitude
brought down on him a shower OIL
personal abuse and vltuperatlon
from Irish organs and from group
of newspapers which presently were
to appear as the chief supporters OF
Germany. The arguments against
the repeal were unusually bitter ana
even though Elihu Root, leading Ike.
publican senator. in a brilliant and
effective speech took his.stand by tho
president and against the recent re
nublican administration. partisan
criticism seized upon the opening.
Nevertheless, the tolls exemption
was repealed in June and the events
49, July and August, 1914. and espe-
ciallv after Won Bethmann-HollWeg
stood I'D in the German reichstag
and characterized the treaty be-
tween Germany and Belgium as a
mere scrap of paper, gave a certain
satisfaction to those who stood by
the president for the sanctity OF
the treaties.
Sir Edward Grey. then secretary
of state for foreign affairs. comment.
ing upon the action in the house OF
commons, said, sit has not been
done to please us. or in the interest
of GOOD relations, but I believe from
a much greater motive-the feeling
that a government which is ro use
its influence among nations to make
relations better must never. When
the occasion arises, finch or quall
from interpreting treaty rights IN
strictly fair spirit"