- ii -mnpiijuwupip
rwr w. ..
The Commonefc
WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
Vol. 5. No. 35
Lincoln, Nebraska, September 15, 1905
Whole Number 243
CONTENTS
A Pjlan tor Pbaok
Diplomatic Gbapt
With "Wall Street Interests
An Irreconcilable Conflict
Mr. Bryan's Labor-Day Speech
Secrets or "Let Well Enough Alone"
The "Freight" Petition
Three Stories From Real Life
Whether Common or Not
A Muddle of High Finance
Comment on Current Topics '
The Primary Pledge
News 0F the Week
PEACE ENVOYS PART FRIENDS
The report of the final ceremonies attend
ing the signing of the treaty of peace between
Russia and Japan is exceedingly interesting.
When the signatures of the envoys were at last
afllxod and war was at an end, Mr. Witte, whose
great ability has impressed all who came into
contact with him, arose and extended his hand to
Baron Komura, the chief of the Japanese en
voys. After an exchange of greetings Baron
Rosen, Mr. Witte's associate, delivered a brief
address in which he complimented the repre
sentatives of Japan upon their courtesy and fair
ness, and expressed the hope that the treaty
agreed upon might unite the nations in real
friendship. Baron Komura gracefully replied in
like tenor and all rejoiced at the liappy termina
tion of the negotiations.
It was an historic event and the parties to
the treaty, while they may for a time be harshly
criticised by the fire, eaters of their respective
countries will ultimately be given a high place
among statesmen and patriots.
Long may the peace continue! Russia and
Japan are neighbors and there is no more reason
for friction between neighbor nations than be
tween neighbor citizens.
Witte and Komura Komura and Witte their
names are indissolubly linked together in his
torymay the nations for Which they have acted
be forever friends. -. -
'JJJ
DIPLOMATIC GRAFT
It now developed that Minister Loomis was
guilty of another "indiscretion." His appointment
was urged by some speculators who wanted con
cessions in Venezuela. After securing his ap
pointment they proceeded to enlist him in their
behalf. Of all forms of graft no form is more re
volting than diplomatic graft. Moral lapses in
the conduct of public servants are bad enough
when those servants deal with American citizens;
they are worse when tluy are dealing with for
eigners. Nothing is likely to prove more costly
to our nation than an attempt to promote business
enterprises through the state department and this
is especially perilous when our representatives
are pecuniarily interested in concessions. No one
can act impartially when he has a selfish interest
to serve. Our diplomatic representatives, like
Caesar's wife, should be above suspicion.
f
Roosevelt--" I can recognize the little chap, but who s that big
fellow yonder?
A PLAN FOR PERMANENT PEACE
To President Roosevelt: Circumstance placed
you in a position where, as chief executive, of
the nation, you were able to bring Russia and
Japan together to effect an honorable peace.
You performed your duty in a manner
creditable to yourself and to your country. You
have been hailed as a peacemaker and you
realize how the peaceful victory thus achieved
by you outshines your military exploits. Why not
use the present opportunity to put on foot a
movement for the establishment of permanent
peace? Last winter you asked for authority to
enter into agreements which would be in effect
arbitration treaties and the senate (wisely, I
believe,) refused to surrender the treaty making
power. But now if you had been intrusted with
the authority asked you would have hesitated to
submit a question Involving the nation's .honor
and it is not always possible to know in ad
vance what questions may be involved. Why
not ask congress for authority to submit all in
ternational questions (when an agreement can
not be reached by parties interested) to an im
partial board for investigation and report. In
vestigation will in nearly every case remove the
cause of complaint and reconcile the parties.
Questions which a nation might be unwilling to
submit to arbitration in advance could be settled
by investigation by an impartial international
board.
It was a glorious thing to end the war be
tween the Rush and the Jap but it would have been
more glorious to have prevented the war and
saved the frightful loss of life. The moral
prestige which our nation now enjoys would in
all probability enable it to lead a successful
peace movement. The congratulations which you
have received from the heads of European gov
ernments strengthen the chances of success.
If the leading nations of. the world would enter
Into an agreement to join in the creation of
such a board and pledge themselves to submit
all disputes to the board for Investigation be
fore declaring war the danger of war would bo
reduced to a minimum. Few men have had it
In their power to do so much for humanity will
you improve the opportunity?
W. J. BRYAN.
JJJ
THE OHIO UPHEAVAL
From latest reports Ohio seems scheduled
for a political upheaval this fall. The example
set by Mayor Weaver in Philadelphia is having
its influence and there are unmistakable signs of
an awakening of the Buckeye conscience. And
41
hq A-itrti- & imiS4L
-iWJtj 1IAt,i.i.tMri!'mniii ,
..MJfc -' -
-...
.., M