Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-11
Letters Received at Republican Head
quarters Here.
Observation-Disclosures
German Vote Not Going to the
Democracy.
THE IMPERIALISM ISSUE

wit hin the past week or ten days large
number of letters in answer to a formal In
Quiry which he addressed to different per-
sons in the various congressional districts
respecting the political outlook. The adj
dressees were In different walks OF
Hfe-commercial professional manufactur-
ing political and observation-disclosures be-
cause of their supposed familiarity with
conditions in their respective communities.
Some of the correspondents were in diff
ferent portions of the same congressional
districts, some in different occupations In
the same city, and all were asked for an
uncolored and unbiased statement, the cb-
ject of the committee being to obtain the
facts In the case. Particular inquiry was
made upon two points. whether Their" was
threatened detection in the German vote
and whether Imperialism was accepted as
the paramount issue, and If it was hurting
the republicans.
Extracts from these replies. selected at
random, and coming from the states of In
diana Illinois. Michigan, Minnesota and
Nebraska, show that the correspondents
are unanimous upon two propositions-that
the German vote Is not disaffected and that
imperialism as an issue is welcomed by
the republicans, who believe they can win
on 1t alone. The replies from Nebraska
were especially encouraging. showing the
existence of widespread belief among re-
publcans throughout the state that the
outlook is good for republican victory,
Following are some Of the extracts. Of
course. for obvious reasons, the congress
sional district Is not particularized. The
plies are grouped here by states. and each
quotation is from different writer:
The Outlook in Illinois.
There is no foundation for the claim of
the democratic leaders, says the corre-
spondent, that the Germans will leave the
republican party and vote for Bryan and
the democratic ticket. The Germans are
G. sentially sound money people. and from
all the information l have thus far been
able TO gather they are strongly in favor
OF Mckinley and the republican party
SDn the question OF imperialism the peo-
pie are not inclined to consider that of any
Importance. | have no fear but that any
effort TO prejudice them by the cry of i'm
perialism will rebound to the benefit of the
republican ticket.
There is no disposition to worry over
the democratic cry of Imperialism as an
issue. The tendency seems rather TO be
to impress upon the people the Importance
OF returning republican Congress, sustain
ing the President in his actions during the
past four years and enabling the contin-
uance OF our present tariff and monetary
system. and leaving the condition of the
country undisturbed. l think there is no
danger from any argument that can be
made by the democratic party based on
the Kansas City platform.
From other Illinois districts come the fol-
lowing
In the German vote there will he more
changes 70 the republican party than from
u. Imperialism is cutting ice here We
are willing to accept ii as an issue"
We do not anticipate that the German
vote Will leave the republican party for
Bryan. Imperialism is the least of our
troubles. Silver and population are to be
looked after. We do not anticipate any
thing but gain to our party from discus
sion and enlightenment on the subject of
Imperialism.
The Condition in Indiana.
Many communications were received from
Indiana. and they We're of uniform tenor,
Of which the following will give an idea:
The Germans will not leave the repub-
lean party. This is based on per-
sonal inquiry among 100 German voters. not
only az to themselves. but as to their
friends and acquaintances Only one or
two were little out of line. and even they
VIII vote the republican ticket on election
day"
There are quite a number Of Germans
III this community. Many democratic Ger
mans tell me they will vote against Bryan.
The mass of the people take no interest in
the issue of imperialism"
The political situation Is more favorable
to the republicans than II was in 1898.
There is no foundation for the assertion
that Germans will leave the party. We are
perfectly willing TO meet the democrats on
their paramount issue of imperialism as our
people are in favor of expansion. ! predict
one OF the greatest defeats that has ever
befalien the democratic party in Indiana"
L know of but few Germans who have
returned TO democracy. but can count num-
bers who were against four years ago
and are now with us. The republicans of
this district will be very glad If the demo-
Gratis insist on imperialism as the main
issue am only afraid they will drop IT."
Free coinage at the ratio of 10 to 1. the
generally accepted Idea of the inability of
the democratic party to manage the affairs
OF government and the willingness of Mr..
Bryan TO adopt any kind of hobby to win
VIII probably furnish the republicans suffi-
Gent ammunition for a good campaign In
this congressional district
Il can find no reason for the assertion OF
the democratic leaders that Germans will
leave the republican party this year on
the contrary. careful investigation leads me
10 conclude that we will not only hold as
many had in 1885, but will gain
others because OF their faith in the wisdom
OF the republican party. Imperialism Is
treated a joke Locally IL is not dis
cussed either by democrats or republicans"
The republicans willing to discuss
Imperialism with the democrats. We think
The democrats will be sick of IL before the
campaign is over. full discussion of i'm
perialism will result favorably TO republic
cans.
so far as / have been able to learn,
there is not republican in this district
who does not indorse the policy of the ad-
ninistration with respect to the Philippines.
Generally speaking they are enthusiastical-
~ supporting that policy. and whatever
may be its name. Ii Is pleasing to the rank
and file of the party"
The issue of Imperialism does not go
here. There many of our boys from
this district in the army In the Philippines,
and their friends do not propose to stand
Tor the democratic doctrine"
How Ii Looks in Nebraska.
imperialism as an issue will fail the
democrats here. We will elect a republic
can representative by 1000 in this district.
The German vote is absolutely safe.
Germans in great numbers, both demo-
cratic and republican. are going to vote for
the republican candidate for governor and
many democratic Germans will vote the
whole republican ticket"
We take imperialism as an issue and
win out on il alone. not TO speak of Bry
anism. which means lot out here"
imperialism Is not taken seriously in this
district. 1t is used to turn an oratoricai
period rather than the paramount issue
Bryan We consider to be the real issue
The republican candidate for Congress will
win and the electoral ticket will show
gain over 1896
The situation in this district summed up
Is this: We Will lose very few German
votes and few Irish. On the other hand
We will gain from all nat!onalities because
OF their satisfaction with the present ad-
IL. IL