Evening Star Newspaper, February 25, 1923, Page 29

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORIAL SECTION e —————————————————————— NATIONAL PROBLEMS SPECIAL ARTICLES Part 2—22 Pages LIGHT WINE AND BEER PLEA DUE AT CAPITOL Memorial of New York L/egislature Foreshadows Volstead Amendment as Campaign Issue. BY N. 0. MESSENGER. T high noon next Sunday the Sixty-seventh Congress will breathe its expiring gasp, give up the legislative ghost, and memory of it will live only In the pages of the Congressional Record and. the dally journals of the Senate and House. Tt s expected that a recess will Do taken Saturday night until a rea- sonable hour Sunday morning, when the two bodies will meet and indulge in the usual formalities of a closing sesslon until the clock strikes 12 and each house will be declared by its presideing officer adjourned sine die. * % k% One day this week the Senate and House will receive a memorial adopt- ed by the legislature of the greatest state in the Union, New York, and duly signed by Gov. Alfred E. Smith, petitioning Congress to amend the Volstead act by permitting the use of light wine and beer. The incident will ‘serve to emphasize in a pointed manner the progress of the movement now under way in many states for rellef from the stringent prohibition law of the nation. This memorial may be said to be 2 mandate from a majority of the people of New York, resulting from the late election, when the democratic party was swept into power by a tre- mendous vote, a portlon of which was contributed by republicans who thus expressed thelr approval of the democratic state platform which car- rled a recommendation that the lcgls- lature send such a memorial to the Congress. * The fact that it carried in the logis- lature with the ald of fourteen re- publican members of the assembly, without whose vote it could not have passed, deprives the action of the legislature of some of its partisan significance. In this connection, note s taken of the fact that coincldent with the final passage of the memo- rial, the Natlonal Republican Club of New York city adopted a similar petition to Congress. * k% % Former President Wileon, it is un- @erstood by democratic leaders at the Capitol, when he applies his energles to assisting in framing the next @emocratic national platform, will wounsel his fellow leaders in the varty not to falter or_eguivocate on the light wine and beer plank, but come out flat-footedly in a straight- word declaration favoring It. * R ok % Democrats in Congress noted with Snterest tho course of' the Michigan @emocratio state convention in re- fraining from (ndorsing outright Henry Ford for the demooratic presi- dential nomination in 1924. It was €X- plained that while on the surface this ubstentlon from Indorsement might look like a slap at Mr, Ford, it should ot be so considered. Cordell Hull, chairman of the demo- cratic natfonal committee, was pres- ent at the meeting of the state con- ventlon und no doubt participated in|vociferous inuer counclls of the platform | their innermost minds that the farmer | already has more credit than he can tho malkers. Mr. Hull's policy, conforming with the views of many other national democratio leaders, “snap judgment” on presidential can- didacies at this time, but to let them ride until early In 1924. Their view is that events yet to come may shape the policies of the democratic party for the next presi- dential campaign and that candidacies may depend in large degree upon the policles to be developed. This conclusion was reached by those who hold to that view with the recrudes- cence of the McAdoo boom a few weeks ago. The clder statesmen in the party, it is sald here, will try to discourage all inciplent candidacy booms for the next few months, with- out prejudiee in the long run to the individuals concerned. “We'd better bide a wee" is thelr judgment. * X k¥ If those democrats and anti-ad- ministration republicans who fillbus- tered the merchant marine bill to death think they have administered a mortal blow to President Harding they are mistaken. Latest White House reports have it that the Presi- dent feels that he has done all within his power to secure the legislation needed for the salvation of the American merchant marine and is willing to let the responsibility rest with those who prevented it, and have the country in sober second thought make up its judgment on the outcome. ¥ ok k¥ The next move for the government is to deal with the ships now left stranded high and dry and to try to salvage some of the fifty million a year in money that s now being lost in their upkeep. It was intimated at the White House not long ago that 1f Congress failed to provide some rellef the government would have to take radical measures in the disposi- tion of the vessels. The Shipping Board, which is a bi- partisan body, will, it is understood, deal with the problem in the same non-partisan and businesslike way in which it handled the question of legislation. The main objective will be to save unnecessary losses to the taxpayers and yet keep some kind of merchant marine atloat, so that the carrying trade will not pass into forelgn hands completely., x % ok % In Congress this-week one of the most important features of the legis- lative program will be the completion of a bill for rellef of the agricul- turalists and extension of farm credits, ‘There are several bills, frém different committees, pending in the House. It is expected that one com- posite bill, embodying the best feat- ures of all those pending, can be agreed upon by the House and sent back to the Senate for specdy con- currence. It is not considered likely that there will be the remotest hint of a fill- buster agalnst the farmers' rellef bill, but that eager statesmen will vie with each other {n expediting thc legislation. This, 00, in spite of the fact that a great many who will be most in approval belleve In get away with and more obligations is not to takelthan he can meet. “BLOCS” RUNNING AWAY - WITH PARTY GOVERNMENT BY WILL P. KENNEDY. HE legislative jam and rush of spectal interests to force through some pet plece or program of leglslation beforé Congress shuts up shop for nine months are emphasizing several things to the thoughtful student of national politics as it is played today. First, it shows an eleventh-hour drive to put through many measures without proper consideration, just for the one reason that Congress will ot be here to grind out laws by more orderly process. Which has called forth the Inquiry: “Why shouldn't members of Congress re- main on the job the year round, so as to bo on hand to carefully con- eldor and pass laws as emergencies or necessity arise?” Incidentally, it 1s commented that members of Congress draw their salaries by the year, and here we sec them getting ready to go off the jjob for three- fourths of that time. A Deluge of Bills. Second, it shows a growing tend- ency to look to legislation to cure the {lls of humanity, with sel- fish Interests organized in groups to compel government relief. In this Congress there have been approxi- mately 15,000 bills introduced and more than 1,000 resolutions. We have had more than 1,000 laws and resolu- tions passed and still have several bundred awaiting actlon on the cal- endars. Third, it shows how important a part blocs are taking in dominating the action of Congress—which, in the the final analysis, means, not “gov- ernment of the people, for the people and by the people,” but government by organized minorities. This eituation, now visualized on Capitol Hill, is giving very serious pause to those who have the real in- terests of the country and democratic form of government at heart, above group interests or party interests. Pack Ills to Congress. This menacing tendency of bulking Tegislation involves not only inter- cerence with the normal process of _economio and soclal laws, but culti« vates a weakness to come whining to the government as & panacea for every pain, instead of the healthy and wholesome reverse philosophy of seelng what the citizen can do for the government. Thus grows dependence upon gov- ernment, decline of personal respon- sibility, loss of personal initiative and ambition. Instead of striving to put something worth while into the ‘world, all energies are being bent to get the most out of it. Instead of America's boasted “equal opportunity in the rivalry of life,” it is coming to a demand for an equal division, whether we carn that share or not. How Bloc System Works. The most recent phase of legisla- tion, the bloo system, has been con- spicuously {llustrated by what has transpired in Congress during the last week. Such men as Representative Simeon D. Fess, senator-elect from Ohlo, realize that the bloc as a by- product of democracy is naturally selfish, based upon groups which may be classified over specific interests. This bloc system has injected a selfish or sectional or group interest rather than party interest. We have seen the workings of the agricultural bloc, the labor bloc, the ex-service bloc, the anti-saloon bloc, the big business bloc and the radical bloc, which threatens to let us hear more from it in the new Congress. Some of these groups are of little significance be- cause of lack of influence, which is | measured not so much by the number of members in Congress as by the number they represent. Each of these groups maintains headquarters in the capital; each sup- ports its legislative agent, who in the older days would have been called “lobbyist,” each conducts well or- ganized and systematized propaganda. A bill is drafted, hearings called for and these agencies assemble and sup- ply the data and flood the mall with form letters to represent pressure from constituents. The two greatest sources ot/ danger in this modern tendency are pointed out by Representative Fess, whose -judgment iz founded on a life-long The Sundy STar. WASHINGTON, D. C., SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 25 1923. Prestige of America Abroad Enhanced By the Policy and Abilities of Hughes BY FREDERICK CUNLIFFE-OWEN, C.B. ¥, ISCRETION on the part of the member of the administration at Washington who is intrusted with the conduct of America’s forelgn relations appears to bo regarded by many of his fellow coun- trymen as unwarrantable secrecy of t reprehensible character. Some denoun reserve as the absence of any policy, resulting from his incapacity to grasp and deal with the international problems by which the United States i3 confronted. Others again stigmatize his secrecy as an almost criminal attempt to pursue, in behalf of certaln Interests, a course prejudicial to the welfare of his native land calculated to breed distrust abroad and to allenate the principal friendly powers. Many of those who thus assall the Secre- tary of State are politiclans whose ignorance of conditions in other countries than thelr own s of the most extraordinary nature, and in keeping with their astounding self-suffi- clency, men their native land—sometimes even to the bor- ders of their state, or of their townlet, and who have no conception whatsoever of the international obligations of this republic as one of the great powers of the world. Other attacks may be attributed to the blindness of overzealous partisanship. * koK X Yet, the American people should have it brought home to them that never, since Elihu Root released his masterly and experlenced hold of the relns of the Department of State in 1909, has that branch of the administration, and, as the result, the entire American govern- ment, stood so high im the confidence and in the esteem of all foreign nations. These have learned once more to trust Uncle Sam, and no longer fear breaches of discretion at Washe ington. In America’s relations with an: power the latter's wishes for secre titled to consideration. It may be a matter of vital importance to its government that the negotiations should be treated as confidential and withheld from the knowledge of its own people, or, at any rate, from its political ad- versaries, domestic and forelgn. To be kept in a perpetual state of apprehension, lest this confldence should be be betrayed at Washing- ton, as has repeatedly been the case through- out more than a decade, has been of a nature to paralyze all freedom of diplomatic Inter- course between friendly nations and the Tnited States, greatly to the latter's disadvan- tage and injury. Revelations to Congress by members of the administration, Incautious and unwise political utterances on the part of the officials of the cabinet, or of persons known to be in the possession of its confldence, and, above all, the amazing publication of confi- dentlal correspondence and negotlations con- tained in the flood of books, magazine and newspaper articles, published by former cab!- net officers and agents, diplomatic and other- wise, ended by creating such a etate of alarm among foreign statesmen that they were afrald to deal freely with the American government officials. £ 5o This condition of affairs has been completely changed, since Charles Evan Hughes has been at the head of the State Department and fn charge of Uncle Sam's relations with no less than fifty foreign governments. He brought to his high office from the American bar its best traditions of discretion and of profound respect for the sacred character of confi- dences. He knew how to keep h!s mouth shut, and to refrain from disclosures, even when these would have added to his prestige among his countrymen, and would have ro- lieved him of the reproach of undue secrecy. His attitude in this respect has done more than anything clso to restore abroad the sadly shattered confidence in the dlscretion of the State Department and of its methods, and last, but not least, it has had the effect of winning the respect and the esteem of the leading Americans—captains of industry, of commerce and of finance—who know better than an one else the inestimable value of confident: intercourse in their business dealings which study of the history and philosophy and economics of government: It lends itself to allowing a few whose horizon is restricted to cannot be carrfed to & successful conclusion on the open market place or under the un- friendly eyes of a prying publio, * %k X % Nor is there anything to warrant the asser- tion that the United States has suffered In the regard in which it is held abroad since the present administration came into power, and since Charles Evans Hughes was placed by President Harding at the helm of the State Department. Quite the contrary is the case. If any doubt remalned on the subject, it should surely be dispelled by the debate which took place in the British house of commons, at ‘Westminster, on Monday last, when almost every statesman taking part in the discussion of the French occupation of the Rubr lald stress on the paramount necessity of not mere- ly the participation of the United States, but even of its leadership, In the eventual and in- evitable mediation. Lloyd George advocated its immediate adoption. His euccessor at No. 10 Downing street, Price Minister Bonar Law, quite agreed in the necessity of mediation jointly with the United States, but insisted that the moment had not yet come for any such move, which, at present, would be con- strued as an act of hostility to France and of support to Germany. Indeed, he argued that nothing could be hoped for the present from the State Department, which was in the posi- tion of a lawyer who would choose his own time, since if he chose well, good results could be obtained, whereas, if he did so prema- turely, nothing but harm would ensue. ¥ %k Xk X If the funding of the British debt in Amer- ica—one of the most colossal transactions of a financlal nature that have ever taken place be- tween two great powers—was so satisfactorily carried through with a minimum of friction and of opposition, it was mainly due to the preliminary arrangements which had been worked out by Secretary Hughes In conjunc- tion with Secretary Mellon and Sir Auckland Geddes. The matter, Indeed, would have been carried through within a few days after the arrival In this country of the British chan- cellor of the exchequer had it not been for the misleading information furnished to the Brit- ish government in London by certain of those all too many American visitors abroad who, without due warrant, assume to speak in for- elgn countreis in the name of President Hard- ing and of his administration. In fact, whatever misunderstandings that have taken place with forelgn governments the past year have been mainly due to perhaps well meaning, but, nevertheless, presumptuous interference of these amateur diplomats, whose mistakes the Secretary of State has been sub- sequently called upon to stralghten out. If the Secretary of State had done nothing else than pave thé way with Sir Auckland Geddes and Secretary Mellon to the mutually satis- factory arrangement of Great Britain's huge debt in America, he would have left his mark for all time in the history of the world. For its results are quite beyond calculation, and it is the greatest achlevement since the con- clusion of the armistice in November, 1918, greater even than the misnamed peace of Ve #aflles. Whereas the latter has bred nothing but unrest, dissenslon, additional wars, and the prospect of still further sangulnary strife, the funding of the Anglo-American debt has been & master stroke in behalf of the restoration of economic stabllity and revival of peace and prosperity throughout the world. Nowhere is this realized more strongly than in London, in Parls and in the principal capitals and busi- ness centers of Europe, and even of Asia. * Kk X ¥ 8tlll another claim to the good will of Sec- retary Hughes’ countrymen and to the high regard of forelgn natlons was his organiza- tion of the disarmament conference of a year 8g0. Altogether aside from its contributlon to the cause of peace, it brought the leading statesmen of the old world all the way to Washington to enter into personal and inti- mate relations with the heads of the govern- iment of tho United States, and among the many frults of the conference was the elimi- natlon of every trace of the uneasiness which Lad been created in America by England’s now defunct offensive and defensive alllance with Japan and the establishment of & definite, but nevertheless unwritten, understanding for the loyal co-operation Between the two great Eng: lish-speaking powers, {n pursuance of certain common ¢nd joint aims in the direction of cause of unWersal peace. The two powers, bound together by no written agreement, but merely by & community of purposs, form an irresistible combination, political, military, naval, and, above all, economic, destined to cast an overwhelming vote in the concert of natfons, and in this coalition Great Britain has of her own accord conceded to the United States the preponderant role and the leader- ship and the initiative, as shown many times of late, and especially last week in the house of commons debate at Westminster, * ok X % That is the record of achievement of Charles Evans Hughes since his appointment to the Becretaryship of State by President Harding, to whom alone he 1is accountable for every step that he takes, and to whom alone he owes information about confidential matters affect- ing other governments. In Europe premiers and forelgn ministers frequently deny to their respective legislatures information demanded on the subject of confidential relations with friendly powers, although these statesmen are accountable to thelr respective parliaments and are dependent for their continuance in office on its vote. In fact, an intimation by the minister concerned that the dlsclosure of the information for which he is asked would be contrary to public interest and embarrass- ing to a friendly government is sufficlent to silence all further questionings. In America, however, the questioning is persisted In, and the faflure to communicate to politiclans and to the publie generally the information which they seek s criticized as reprehensible se- crecy or as a sign of {ncapacity. * kK Xk X Nowhere {3 the policy of President Harding and Secretary Hughes more thoroughly under- 8tood and appreciated than in Paris, in gov- ernment circles. They know there that Secre- tary Hughes’ refusal to intervene at the pres- ent moment is not due to animosity, but rather to friendship, and that the charges here to the effect that he has abandoned the cause of France are totally without foundation. As mentioned by Premier Bonar Law last week in parliament, the moment for interven- tion s not vet at hand. Just now it would be prejudictal to France, and would be construed by her people as an unfriendly course, and as favorable to their foes, the Germans. Secre- tary Hughes may question the efficacy of the measures which the French have adopted. But he realizes that thesa measures are justified, and, indeed, were recognized as such by the great powers of the entente as fully warranted more than & year ago, when Germany’s pay- ments, due under the head of reparations for the frightful devastation of the invaded ter- ritories of France and Belgium, was scaled down by nearly G0 per cent, In consideration of punctual payments from thenceforth. Thess payments have been defaulted In every par- ticular, and France is now taking the meas- ures, then agreed to by the powers, for the collection of the momeys now long overdue, As pointed out by Bonar Law, when the time comes the interventlon will take place, but at a time chosen by the United States and British governments, with full regard to the best interests and wishes of France. Tt will take the form of mediation, and mediators must always have the consent of both partles to the conflict which it is desired to end. Per- haps it may be added that the relations of Ambassador Jusserand with Secretary Hughes and with President Harding are of the friendly and most cordial description. The ambas- sador is fully aware of the real sentiments and of the views of the Secretary, while It would be difficult to in@ any warmer expres- #ion of regard, friendship and good will than that contained in the letter uddressed a week ago by the master of the White House to the veteran envey of France on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of his arrival in the United States as amba ing we once belleved it to be. jmains as steadfast as she ever was, | it should—is not the perfect child of inspired political gentus that leaders to report their views as those of & large membership. In the de- gree that membership can speak through its leaders it is both unin- telligent and unsafe, The leaders too frequently are circumscribed wholly by narrow and selfish inter- ests. Secondly, it develops a thabit of delegating to the leaders the re- sponsibility of the cltizen, who In- stead of speaking as a citizen allows the selfish group interest to speak. Then, too, it permits the most dan- gerous log-rolling, where leaders of various important blocs may get thelr heads together—as they have been doing during the last weck—and dic- tate an entire program, upon the re- clprocal plan, “if you will scratch my back I will scratch yours”” The sav- ing grace !s that in this country we have always had such a standard of independent citizen=tip that never vet has any leader been able to vote the membership of the bloc. Destroying Party Government. Another specific influence of the bloc system that is viewed with alarm is that it is destroying what we call party government. In this country we have been accystomed to look to the party in power for results, and held it responsible. It was not diffi- cult to unify the majority, or respon- sible party, for or against a measure. This was accomplished by the caucu: which 1s surviving better in the demo- cratic than in the republican party. In the caucus the majority ruled, and the caucus dictated the party policy. Thus when a measure came onto the floor it recelved the united support of the party members. Since the Insurgency of 1910, the caucus, particularly considering the party now in power, has been rele- gated to the discard, and has fallen into innocuous desuctude—no bind- ing vote is taken and unity is not possible, for each group or member “AS I SEE IT.” By William Allen White. Note.—In publishing this ar- ticle by the brilliant editor of the Emporia Gazette, The Star does not necessarily indorse the views he expresses. But Mr. White brings to the discussion of current events a fertile mind and an_entertaining style, and a discriminating pubilc will place its own valuation upon the opinions he advances. HE theory that justice can emerge from a parliamentary government s one of the manias of the Nordic peoples. As soon as a man's hair begins to bleach a little on his northern jour- ney and his eyes begin to go blue he begins to feel the mad urge to go out and vote for somebody who shall vote for something which In turn shall make times better in the spring. The fact that times are, a8 & matter of fact, deceives us. Also we are misled by the further fact that men, by the mere process of propagating thelir kind and thus multiplying and cover- ing the earth, make life more complis cated. We confuse complication with progress and are sure that the in- evitable compromises of a crowded world are signs that we are dally growing better. So we say, “Ah,” In tones of finality, “see what our par- llaments, congresses, assemblies, reich- stags and councils have done for us! ‘Wherefore we go out and vote and urge others to vote early and often, even though not wisely but too well And as though voting and organizing and multiplying parliamentary gov- ernment were not enough, we prooceed to hand over to it everything we have for regulation. Babies are born ac- votes his own wishes, whether with|cording to law, fed, educated, mar- or against his party sponsor for the!ried, doctored and buried by law. And legislation. Here agaln 1s found another menace to the scant majority control by re- publicans in the next Congress. Dur- ing the last decade scarcely ever have the republican members of the House been found all supporting or opposing a measure, and, on the contrary, scarcely ever have the democrats been divided in their support of an admin- istration measure, in the main the laws are good laws if they survive the pragmatic test of observance. But a lot of the laws seem to be passed for the sole pur- pose of giving the proponents of the law the thrill they get In the con- consummation of a legislative act. Kentucky has the best child labor law in the world—enforced by three In- spectors! The United States has law agminst combinations in restraint ¢ generally better in the spring;od and impotent. jhave two distinct examples of the of trade, which fs given a Pickwickian slant by a court Interpretation which puts the word “unreasonable” before the word “restraint.” * x kW This habit of getting almost a re- ligious consolation out of the mere passage of laws is beginning to tell upon people addicted to parliamen- tary government. The world is be- ginning to question the efficlency of paritaments and congresses. In Eng- 1and the house of lords is becoming gradually innocuous. In France the cabinet is belng exalted. In Russla the dictatorship of the preietariat ls doing stupidly what the dictatorship of the middle class 1s doing well In Italy—abolishing the legislature by ignoring {t. In China the parliamen- tary assembly adjourned in pique and for & long time has remalned scatter- In America we feeling of dissatisfaction with the parliamentary system. First, the rise of craft and professional leagues, as- wsociations, unions and federations, ‘with lobbles centering in Washington better pald than our senators and representatives; and, second. the strong feeling that the membership of the House of Representatives is too large. The more representative It is the less it is eficlent—paradoxically, the more representative it is the less it is representative. So we question the parllamentary system. Indeed, we question even the grist from the mill. Says Nicholas Murray Butler, who cuts rather an odd figure among the recruits to anarchy: “There are laws that lead to lawlessness” (possibly meaning prohibition, for which he has no taste) “and there is lawless- ness that leads to law” (referring to Mussclini’s coup). *xx %0 All these protests, these makeshifts, these demands for a change of the parliamentary system, to say nothing of the movement for the initiative and referendum and recall that function ‘mostly in the western United States, indicate an uneasy feeling that par- llamentary government is not work- ‘We are losing the obsession that parliamentary government {s the end of all desire in the United States. We are unconsclously seeking Iimitations upon democracy. Democracy has generated great power, but not enough wisdom with its power. Talk half an hour in Washington with any statesman who Is at all above the chair-warming class and he will de- clare that Congress doesn’t work. Not that congressmen do not work. They do, and enough of them put a fair order of brains Into thelr work 80 that there should be wise purpose and direction in the job. But, how- ever warily and well congressmen work, Congress does not. We have solved so few problems by govern- mental actlon in the past twenty vears that it i3 a real question whether or not any real quegtion can be solved by legislation. We have not solved the trust problem, nor the transportation question, nor the cur- rency tangle, nor the business of mar- keting for the farmer, nor child labor, nor the minimum wage, nor any phase ot social and industrial justice in which there is real contention and & oertain opposing claim or right. We have done fairly well with pure food and the parcel post and a few mat- ters in which we have extended po- lice powers within areas whereln en-} lightened consclence revealed old crimes in modern guises. But are the few solutions worth what they cost? * kX X ‘Why a Congress anyway? Doubtless we'll have to put up with it. The thing is on our hands, but an- nually it is growing more of an anom- aly, more of a nulsance. Consider Congress a moment, Here it 1s: A hundred senators, more or less, and four hundred representatives dragged in only too willingly from of- fices, stores, farms, shops and mines; some lettered, some selfish, some vain, some mad, some wise men and some fools; but all determined to hold their places in Congress and their petty marks of prestige in the organization of Congress against all comers. 8o before there Is consideration of & resolution or measure the crazy jungle battle for per- sonal place and power must begin and never end through the whole life of the Cougress. This nondescript group of citizens, related only vaguely by the common ambition to-hold on in Con- gress, faces a measure that is proposed as a law. The first impulse that moves (Continued on Third Page.) THREE WILL NOT ATTEND PAN-AMERICAN CONGRESS Refusal of Imvitation by Mexico, Peru and Bolivia General BY BEN McKELWAY. HE fiy {n an otherwise unsual- 1y pleasing ointment s the refusal of Mexico, Peru and Bolivia to send delegates or take part In any way In the proceed- ings of the fifth pan-American con- @gress, in Santiago. The extent to ‘which this imperfection will mar the outcome of what promises to be an important step toward closer relations in the western world remains to be seen. It is regarded as an unfortunate, rather than as a serious, development. It is unfortunate In that the coun- tries concerned have refused to par- ticipate in & movement which requires the support of ell, regardless of indl- vidual differences of opinion. Active membership In the pan-American congress 18 a duty, as well as a privilage. If the congress was held In Argen- tina, or in any other South American country this vear, thers might have been a different story. The refusal on the part of Peru and Bolivia to at- tend this year results directly from the fact that Chile is host. Mexico's excuse might be likened to that of Mrs. Smith, who refuses to attend the church soclal because Mrs. Jones— with whom she 18 not on speaking terms—will be there. Mexico does not relish the idea of sitting at the same conference table with Uncle Sam, although both have equal voice in the conference. Basis of Refusal It is understood that the United States still retalns strong hopes that Peru may forget her differences with Chile and take part In the conference. But as the time draws near for the congress to convene and Peru re- it would appear that this hope is weakly founded. When Chile sent the | usual invitation for Peru to send her | delegates to the congress Peru re- plied that she could not do so as| long as Chilean persecution of Pe- ruvians in Tanca and Arica continued. She conditioned her acceptance on some assurance from Chile that these alleged persecutions would be dis-| continued. Chile replied, in effect,; that there were no persecutions of Peruvians, and there the matter ended. There are some who argue that Chile’s reply should have been more concillatory, that she should: have gone out of her way to assure Peru of her sincerity In desiring that she take part in the congress. On the other hand, it is pointed out that anything bordering on an assurance from Chile that Peru's de- mands would be met would consti- tute an admission that Peruvian| claims were well founded. Peru has steadfastly charged Chile with o rageous treatment of Peruvian citi zens in the contested Tacna-Arica district, and Chile has just as stead- fastly denied Peruvian allegations. ‘The result is that while Peru and Chile have entered Into one agree- ment to submit their old quarrel to the United States for settlement, while, In fact, thelr quarrel is in tho process of being permanently ad- justed, the firft pan-American con- gress is made the agency for renew ing @ bitterness between the two countries which should have been buried with the hatchet interred officially with such imposing cere- monies in Washington a few months ago. Peru may feel she has ample justification for refusing to partici- pate in the congress. But it should be remembered that the pan-Amerl- can oongress 1s not a Chilean con- gress. Chile merely happens to be the meeting place. Peru has taken a slap at the host, and hits the guests as well. Why Bolivia Stays Out. Bolivia's declination to participate is also founded, in part, on the fact that Chile is entertaining this year. Bolivia is contending her right to a seaport of a Matter of Regret. her own. She claims this right lost under the treaty of 1904, under which she ceded her coastal territory to.Chile —a step brought about through her de- feat by Chile in the war of the Pacific. ‘When Bolivia recelved her formal in- vitation from Chile to send her usua! delegation to the congress, she made of it an opportunity to reopen efforty to have Chile reconsider the treaty of 1904, which ehe claims to have signed under duress. Bolivia sent a special mission to Chile to sound out the ad- ministration on its willingness to enter into negotiations looking toward a re- veson of the treaty of 1304. Chile de- clined to do this, and the Bolivian dele- gation went back home. A few weeks ago Bolivia announced formally she would not attend the congress. Effort Ill Timed. Bolivia’s attempt to have Chile mes gotlate with her over the treaty of 1304 was obviously {ll timed. Chile could hardly negotlate with Bolivia at this time, for the ownership of the Tacna Arica district—all or part of whici Bolivia hopes to obtain—is a question still in dispute between Peru and Chile. Until that question 1s settled, Chile can make no move, if she so desired, to dispose of something which may not be- long to her. So Bolivia decides to remaln away from the conference. She makes it plain that she means no affront to Chile. But she contgnds that until Chile is willing to hear her demands and clear the way for permanent ad- justment of differences between the two nations, she can accomplish noth- ing by attending the congress. She declares, rather bitterly, that the questions for consideration by the congress looking toward better po- litical and economic relations be- tween the American republics 18 c tradictory to a situation which al- lows one nation to be dependent, po- Mtically and economically, on anoth power. Her independence, Bolivia claims, will come only with an outlet to the sea of her own. No Volce in Program. Mexico declines to attend the c ference because she wishes to avoi the embarrassment which she believes would arise by sending delegates who had no volce in preparing the pro- gram. She is unable to see how her delegates could take an active part in the discusslons or share in making decisions of the congress. Mexico bases her arguments on the allega- tion that she was left out in making up the program of the congress. Be- cause she is not recognized by the United States, her seat in the govern- ing board of the Pan-American Union 1s vacant, and this governing board drew up the congress agenda. As a matter of fact, Mexico was taken into consideration in planning for the conference. Regardless of the fact that she is not represented in Washington, the Pan-Amarican Union submitted the program for the fifth congress to the Mexlcan govern= ment, with the request that Mexico make suggestions for revisions or ad- ditions. She had the opportunity, bu | she declined to avail herseclf of u nec- essarily round-about way of tak it. Mexico's volce in the congress is as strong as that of the United States. She is as much a2 member as the United States. But she assumes the attitude of being crowded out by her next-door neighbor. Peru, Bolivia and Mexico evidently feel thelr national pride at stake, and take a certain degree of satisfaction by remaining outside. But it should be remembered that the Pan-Ameri- can Congress is &0 far the only agency which promises a solution in the future of the very difficulties in which these nations are involved. It would seem the wiser course to par- ticipate actively in a movement which, in the end, would result to their benefit. - isjconisadios bec HIpit told seeportiotiitelbenellt . oo S o, Development of Fleet Aviation Plays Important Part in Naval Warfare Program The recent order of Admiral Hilary C. Jones, commander-in-chiet of the United States fleet, calling for Instruction in the general principles of alrplane flight and the fundamental laws of aerody- namics for all offcers in the service, is declared by Becretary of the Navy Denby to be “perhaps one of tho most dignificant orders ever issued by a fleet commander,” and to mean that “fleet aviation s certain to have a very im- portant effect in a future naval cam- paign.” ‘Writing for the special National Aero- nautic Assoclation number of Aerial Age for March, the Secretary declared “a fleet whose aviation is dnferior to that of the enemy will operate under a grave disadvantage, which might well have a declsive influence on the result of the war.” Summarizing progress made by the Navy dn fleet aviation since the world war, the Secretary declares that the installation of a form of catapult on the United States battleship deck *“Is one of the most Important developments of naval aviation in any navy in the world.” “At the present moment, tinues, “we may point with pride to the fact that no other navy s equipped in any such manner, our catapults being designed for projecting into the air sny type of plane which fits into the tactical and strategical use of aircraft with the fleet.” The Secretary states that one of the first duties required of fleet aviatiou in future wars will be to carry on recon- notssance work over enemy bases, While the flect 18 still at a great distance from the enemy, his fleet will probably be as- sembled at one or more of his naval bases. Tho commandecr-in-chief must know the distribution of tho enemy's forces to conduct the situation. *In the Army,” he says, “airplanes are se- lected for solving such problems; what could be more natural than for the. Navy to use the same instruments?” Although the Navy at present has in commission only one airplane carrier— the Langley—knowledge gained from its conversion from the collier Jupiter has enabled engineers to design an effjclent type of carrier by remodeling two of the glant battle crulsers under con- struction, which were at first intended to be scrapped under the terms of the Washington conference treaties, the Secretary continues. Under these treatdes, the battle crulsers Saratoga and Lexington will be converted into floating airdromes with enormous decks for taking off and landing, with ma- chine shop facllities for the repair and upkeep of aircraft and storage facilities for them below decks. “In other words,"” Mr. Denby declares, “these two carriers when placed in commission will be com- bination hangars, machine shops and landing flelds.” Steel Orders Pile Up. The plants of the United States Steel Corporation have again record- ed a new high record for the upward tendency of recent mcnths, and are working at about 91 per cent capac- ity, which decreases production costs, price averages are showing new advances, Orders are swamping mills, and fufure deliveries in struc- tural steel are not promised befora sixty or ninety days. The upward trend in prices, instead of discour- aging buyers, has actually brought them into the market through their fear that by delaying longer they would have to meet still greater ad- vances,