The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-04-12

has had formal and vsry earnest
expression.
fstaFU Policy.
It would be uuWise to undertake
TO make statement Of futuss pol-
icy with fespoct to EuropoAa A.
AIRS In such Z deciafatioa Of q
stats Of peace. IN cofrocttng the
failure of the executive, n nsau-
tfafine the most important treaty
in the history u the natiun. to
recognise the constitutioAal powers
OF the senate We would 20 10 tie
other extreme. equally objection
able, II congress or the senate
should assume the function q the
executive. Our highest duty 10 the
preservation of the constituted
powers Of each. and the promotion
OF the spirit OF coopefstioa 20 e.
sentiAl TO our common welfare.
It would be idle to declare for
separate treaties Of peade with the
central powers on the assumption
that these along would be adequate,
because the situation is SO involv-
ed that our peace engagements
cannot ignore the old world fela-
tonship and the settlements a.
ready effected. nor Is It desirable
to do so In preserving our own
rights and contracting our future
relationships.
Wiser Course.
The wiser course would seem to
be the acceptance Of the confirma-
ton of our rights and interests Al
ready provided and to engage un-
der the existing treaty, assuming
of course, that this can be salts
factorily accomplished by such ex-
plicit reservations and modifica-
tons as will secure our absolute
freedom from inadvisAble commit
ments and safeguard all our essen
tial interests.
Neither congress nor the people
needs my assurance that a request
to negotiate needed treaties Of
peace would be as superfuous and
unnecessary as it is technically in
effective and I know in my own
heart there is none who would
wish to embarrass the executive in
the performance Of his duty when
we are all to eager to turn disap-
pointment and delay into crafty
ing accomplishment
Problems relating to our foreign
relations bear upon the present and
the future and are Of such a nature
that the all important future must
be deliberately considered. with
greater concern than mere immed-
late relief from unhappy condi-
tions. We have witnessed. yea, we
have participated in the supremely
tragic episode of war, but our deep
er concern is in the continuing life
of nations and development Of civ
ilization.
|. Our Own Conflict.
We must not allow our vision to
be impaired by the conflict among
ourselves. The WEAKNESS at home
and the disappointment to the
world have been compensated in
the proof that this republic will
surrender none of the heritage OF
nationality, but our rights in inter-
nationalship have to be asserted,
the required establishment In COM
pacts of amity, our part in re-
adjustment and restoration cannot
be ignored, and must be defined.
With the super-governing league
definitely rejected and with the
world SO informed, and with the
statutes Of peace proclaimed al
home, we may proceed to nego-
| tate the covenanted relationships
so essential to the recognition OF
all the rights everywhere Of our
own nation and play our full part
in joining the peoples Of the world
in the pursuits Of peace once more.
Our obligations in effecting Euro
! pean tranquility because OF wars
involvements. are not less impel-
ling than our part in the war it.
self. This restoration may be
wrought before the human process
sion can go onward again. We can
be helpful because we are moved
by no hatreds and harbor no fears.
Helpfulness does not mean entan-
clement and participation in eco
nomic adjustments does not mean
sponsorship for treaty commitments
which do not concern US and In
which we will have no part
Senate's Advice.
In an all-impelling wish to do
the most and best for our own re-
public and maintain its high place
among nations and at the same
time make the fullest offering Of
Justice to them. I shall invite in
the most practical way the advice
of the senate. after acquainting 1t
with all the conditions to be met
and obligations to be discharged.
along with our own rights to be
safeguarded.
Need Prudence.
Prudence in making the program
and confident cooperation IL max
ing it effective cannot lead us far