Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-29
MARES NESTS.

When the opponents of a project find it neccs-
sary to go far a6eld for their arguments, and to base
impossible, the natural conclusion is that real objec-
tons to the plan are difficult to find. Argument of
this kind, therefore, may be accepted as evidence
Of the soundness rather than the unsoundncss of the
proposed plan e~si.
Opponents of the Improvement of the St. Lawr-
ence waterway to the sea in accordance with the
plans now under consideration by congress must be
at a loss for real argument when they present this:
The plan for the United States to join in
building the St. Lawrence Waterway is with
out international precedent. The St. Lawr-
ence is one of the British Empires trade ar :
teries. AS such it is subject to any obstruc-
tons that the exigencies of European politics
may impose on rivers of the Empire.
Any political development that would bar
American vessels from the Thames, for ex-
ample, might prevent them from entering and
departing from the St. Lawrence.
While the United States looks forward to
the same cordial and friendly relations with
Canada and the British Empire that have
characterized the past, it cannot afford to route
its inland upon a foreign river un-
less the rights to free egress and ingress are
fully guaranteed. ~.
The above paragraphs are prominently displayed
on the title page of a bulletin issued by an organ
lation with the impressive name, "The Institute Of
American Business" with headquarters, of course,
in New York city. The statement that the St.
Lawrence plan is without international precedent"
may be technically true, because the exact condi-
tons which exist in one locality are not duplicated
in another. But in its reafsubstance the statement
is not true. Europe is full of instances where great
rivers are internationalized in one way or another,
and while Europe has been afflicted with wars and
run1ors of wars, this treatment of the rivers has in
mo way contributed to such disturbances. The
affected were better off for the improve
ment IN times of peace, and no worse off in war.
1t is not true that ANY political development
that would bar American vessels from the Thames
might prevent them from entering and departing
from the St. Lawrence War between Great Brit
ain and a third power might result in a blockade Of
ish possessions on this continent, provided il, were
made effective, would exclude British vessels from
the st. Lawrence. But ifthe United States were n
good faith q partner in a great St. Lawrence inn
proven1eft enterprise, under no possible application
OF laws Of neutrality and blockade. could American
vessels on the open sea, properly cleared for Ameri-
can ports on the Great Lakes. be prevented. from
reaching their lawful destination BY way of ST.
Lawrence channels which American eterprisc Had
assisted in constructing and American capital as
sisted in financing. An American vessel destined
for Toronto or Port Arthur could be stopped. Deg
tined for Duluth or Chicago it could not. ss@s
The bogie Of war between the United States and
Great Britain IS such a firlsy creature Of rags and
I~tatters that tinle-spent III discussing II IS lwaSted.eA
1ssI he use Of such arguments BY opponents 81 the
improvement plan indicates, FIRST, thatSthey are iat !
loss for real sfgtlnent; second, that they recognize
the force Of the movement, and feel that uniess. des-
lperate steps are taken, il will be carried forward.
Until the burglars get i better coneeapation1 81
NNNkNNsAnSk~ SSsfa@ ~ naNsSo nAA AE~x&.[-ISSIE 49,