Speech #620104797

Although we have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to give Cuba her freedom. and our soldiers have fought her battles. and our country has guaranteed her independence. yet If this is to be the means of settling all future differences between England and France and the United States. our claims may well become the subject of international inquiry by the initiative of either power. We have agreed that as a means of protecting the two countries from misunderstandings this method of arbitration shall be engaged in. I do not think there is a controversy affecting any State or on the border with Canada. or a controversy affecting the United States and Canada. or the question of our proposed levy of tolls on the Isthmian Canal. or any question of immigration that affects England or any of her possessions in this hemisphere that is beyond the reach of this joint high commission. which is to be superimposed upon our Government by our consent. to determine for the Senate and for the country what questions are to be arbitrable and what questi6ns are not. There never has been such an engagement between the United States of America and any other power in our history. and there ought not to be one now. It will not lead to peace.