The Dominion. TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1914. THE SCHOLAR AS STATESMAN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2003, 10 March 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1914. THE SCHOLAR AS STATESMAN.

It is now generally recognised that Dr. Woobrow WiisoSf'a term of office as Prc&ldwfc of the United States is going, to 1» a memorable one. The passing ef the Tariff Bill was in itself a great achievement, and if Du. Witstes did; not sflueeed in accomplishing anything else, thatalone would have been sufficient to givo distinction to his Presidency, Ho has already made hktary, and although it is yet early to judge his career as head of the Govnfmnoiu. of the United States theyo a« many who even now 'predict tl«t he' will ultimately, bo regarded by posterity as one of the great Presidents., Be is a man of high culture and ft njftster of literary stylo, iuad has tea connected with University,, as'professor arid president fof some twenty yews. Mis brilliaat scholastic attainments wevo in the opinion of many -people as muelj a handicap as a help to him ia his .Presidential election campaign; but his directness and ttitißifesfc toonosty o£ purpose, combined with the tittoosiventionality of his political methods, captured the public, imagination and gave him a splendid opportunity of showing what the professor can (k> in the' realm of praoi-ieal statecraft Itis one thing to propound theories in the lecture room, and quite anotlisr to take the responsibility tjf jjitttigg them to the <• test jiikl seeing if tfo.y. will work; and sonie people predicted that President WiLSOjf-would be lacking in those practical tm&incsalifce qualities of wlieh the iiiaa of the world is supposfirl to have a snore or less complete mono-poly.

Dr.. Wilson's practical 'wisdom in the sphere of statesmanship; has, therefore, come as a surprise to many. He has a way of gottint; things done, which men of much greater experience- ip the -'devious ways of American politics might wnl} envy. He starts by making up his mind as to -what is raniired, tw,d than proceeds to pet it done in th«. simplest and most straightforward way. This novel dfpartuvc in American political leadcrshin was in a large measure rpspoiu-iljJe for the resolute mannqr in which the Tariff and Currency iJ-ilis were Carried through Congress, and it now remains to bo seen v/hetber it will prove equally success Cul ill regard to his legislative proposals for the supervision of tk« finaueial operations of railroads and for skalinj with Trusts and-restraint of tracitt". His Message to Congress regarding this matter docs not take the form of a reckless and provocative declaration of war on business, deed, it expressly declares that any antagonism that may havo existed between the Govcfhftcat and businoss is at an end; that co-rnhinations which wish to readjust 'hcii'flffiirs so as to conform to the law will be friven ample time; , and tltat it is the President's purpose not to tWEottlo business or anywtei-fi to lii'-ink its established courses. ThcE.e. statements have naturally proelucod a ivassur* ins? effect, and the Message, generally speaking, has- boon favourably received in financial quarters, though of course, thefe js much difference of opinion regarding the various proposals which" it.coiifoiirts. The Trust question in th-i United States, is an extremely intricate and difficult problem; bas the President is grappling with it in a conciliatory spirit, and with a full appreciation of the vast importance- of tho interests involved. The fai« of tins policy measure, will bo watched with world-wide interest. A rlen.l of criticism 'in? bw.it directed riir.?.tps;yr A iViL!ny*s

attitude in regavr.l to the foreign policy of tile U'nitctl States, but 'it is hardly fair tit express a decisive judgment on this point at the present juncture. The Jα panose immigration question is still untkr consideration, and it remains to be seen whether a satisfactory agreement can he readied. If Dr, Wilson can devise a periaiinent sattlemcnt of this racial difficulty he will deserve the thanks of the whole world. The Mexican trouble at present overshadows the Asiatic problem, and tho United States Government seems quite unablo to cyjva with the situation in an effective wanner. The President is very unwilling to accept tho responsibility of armed intervention preferring to rely upon financial prcssuj'c to put an end to tho present, intolerable state of affairs, and as Britain and the other nsitions concerned nro not inclined to force his hand tho restoration of civilised government in Mexico seems as far off as evct. If Dr. Wiisost's Mexican policy gives the impression of weakness and uncertainty, hh treatment of the Panama toils question has won for him tho admiration of the world. His appeal to the national conscience Is one of the most inipressivo incidents in modern iiuevnationftl diplomacy. In his Message to Congress lip declared; "We have accepted the Treaty, and we are too big and powerful and sclf-f«apooting to adopt A too".straiitcd and' refined interpretation of it. The only tiling wo can afford to tlo is to make a vphintaTy withdrawal from a position which has everywhere hr-an qwestioßfld and ißisunilerstoad," " In tbeso striking words ho lifts . thft whole controversy into the region of high-principle ftiut fa-ir-dealsngj and decline? to look fov doubtful loopholes as a means of escape from a national obligation, This noble- appeal to Congress will live ;n history. Bays the Marninf/ Font, and otlior English newspapers arc equally oiitliHsiastie in their appreciation. The bnttcf clasj of American jeurnah also ncckim tho honesty, and courage. He has undoubtedly fthown the world, tliat there is room for nprightaess in aiid fbv honaiir, justice, and g.fliierosity in iiitcrnrttionaJ relatioßships,