Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-08
DIPLOMATIC Interference

a LTHOuGH their ofrenses have not been
a tagrant, the British and Italian am
basSadors 10 the United States have e1-
pressed their opinions regarding domestic
legislation with more freedom than Is con-
sistcnt with the proprieties of their posi-
tion and there will be sympathetic re-
sponse 10 the protest OF Senator Watson of
Indiana, in the Senate against foreign dip
lomatic influence in the purely domestic af-
fairs Of the country.
This newspaper Is convinced that tho
pending tariff bin is an indefensble meah-
ure from practically every possible point OF
view There is no conceivable excuse for
the erection of a higher tariff barrier around
America at the present time, and RI the adj
ministration's policy is carried into effect
the result. we fear, will be a misfortune
No matter how bad this legislation may
be- however, it is not a proper subject for
public discussion by diplomatic agents of
other governments now stationed in Wash
ngton The American people need no adj
vice and Will welcome none from the British
the French nor the Italians as to the char
acter of our congressional cnactments Tariff
legislation is matter with which the pco-
pie here are perfectly capable OF dealing
If the British government feels that
serions mistake is being made by the United
States in the enactment of a tariff law which
will virtually prohibit the importation of
goods from the British empire there is a
proper channel through which TO present
the views of that government The British
Foreign Office and the American State De-
partment are in immediate contact all the
time and communications literally candid
III their expressions may be exchanged with
out violating any of the amenities OF friend
IL al Mt inns tine
ness OF the British ambassador TO volunteer
comment publicly regarding the bearing or
effect of measures that are pending in Con
prcSs
The same is true of ship subsidy egis-
lation The British and other governments
OF Europe look with a pronounced degree of
alarm upon the proposal that the United
states government, so subsidiZe its merchant
Aeet that it may survive and compete sue
cessfully with the shipping OF other nations
me consummation OF this legislation will
establish formidable rival OF the British
merchant marine in particular hut this
provides foreign ambassadors with no ex-
cuse for lecturing the American people upon
our shipping policy.
II must be stated in fairness 10 the din
lomatS who have been criticized nv Senator
Watson that their public statements have
not hecn serious enough 10 justify their
recall If they had been ii may he assumed
That Secretary hughes would not have
waited for the Senate 10 have called his at
t"ntion 10 tho indiscrctons He wouId
havc found means Of cautionng the for
clsners 10 hold their peace, and if his sIg-
Gestions were ignored. he would have taken
IN" matter up directly with their govern
meats.
for II,I,,,
credited To a foreign government. TO arouse
unnecessary resent ent ny seeming to med
Gle IN the domestic politics OF the people
with whom he has official association. The
NOR" experienced ambassadors and minis
'ers rarely make IA mistake in that dircc-
ton. and after the lecture on good manners
delivered by senator Watson. i, is n pret,v
safe guess that the men to whom his re-
marks We're directed, will be scrupulouslv
guarded in the future as to the nature OF
their public uttcrances