New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-13
THEDAyIN WA SHINGTON

Tafts action in this respect. Certain Re-
publican insurgents. blind 20 reason and
common sense rs result OF their personal
ambitions and their determination to leave
unturned no stone which might, if flung.
injure Mr.. Taft, and who therefore did
not hesitate to employ their magazines to
that end. and few carping newspapers
which rarely relax their efforts TO find
something to condemn. constituted the only
critics Of the administration. Even William
J. Bryan cautioned his fellow Democrats
against criticising before they knew the
reasons which aotuated the Executive. De-
velopments in Mexico have. Of course
served tn prove the wisdom N Mr.. Tafts
course. as have the revelations OF the ex-
tent to which the neutrality laws were
being violated along the border. and II If
now doubtful If any one will have the
temerty to rise in Congress and denounce
the mobilization Of the troops.
"MANEUvRES." - The announcement
made at the White House that the
troops were being ordered to Texas for
''maneuvres' was true so far as it went,
but it SO obviously failed to account
for the movement Of 5000 troops and
their concentration along the border as in
stantly and inevitably TO create a deeply
rooted impression that for some reason the
administration could not be frank and that
probably conditions of the gravest charac-
ter prevailed. Certain hysterical patriots
Immediately saw Japan on the horizon and
certain California neurotiCs actually dis
covered a fleet Of six japanese naval YES
sells in the ofing. where, by the way, they
constantly remained, neither advancing
toward shore nor retreatng toward home.
until, several days later. certain prosac
persons, aided by a clearing atmosphere.
proved them to be American fishing
smacks Even now there are some who point
with triumph to the fact that the President
has not denied the Japanese secret treaty
story. although members of the foreign af-
fairs committees have denied 1T for hlm
and on his authority. II any are msled
by this suggestion they need only reflect
that a President rarely-President Iaft
practically never-denies unfounded stories
II he began it, his entire time some DAYS
would have to be devoted to framing de-
malls He does authorize members OF MS
administration, members of Congress ana
members of the press to deny canafds EN-
phatically. and that he regards as suffi-
Gent TO keep informed those who want to
know the truth.
PRAYING FOR THE CANTEEN.-Re-
ports have reached Washington TO the
effect that the WOmen's Christian temper
ance Union will withdraw its opposition TO
the canteen as a feature OF army posts
| Officers Of the army are disposed to regard
this news as almost too good TO De true
but they are hoping for the best Inc
mobilization Of the troops in Texas mas
afforded another convincing demonstration
of the folly of the war made against the
canteen The neighbOrhood Of the ma
nceuvre camp" at San Antonio Is infested
with saloons OF the lowest type, where
every temptation to violate the laws OF
decencv and order is afforded the soldiers
In their hours Of liberty. The military au-
. ,horities have of course no authority over
these dives. where ardent spirits Of the
cheapest and vilest character constitute not
the least Of the evils The anti-canteen
law, on the other hand precludes the mill
tary authorities from maintaining as an off
set clean and well conducted canteens
where only the milder forms of drink would
be sold and where the profits could ne
saved and devoted to promoting the com
fort Of the men. supplying them with the
paraphernalia for healthy sports. adding
certain little luxuries to their rations, etc
The conditions in Texas are 50 bad that
special reports on the subject are expected
from Major General Carter commanding
the division, and from Brgadier General
Duncan. commanding the Department OF
Texas Should it be found that the Woin-
ems Christian Temperance Union could ne
persuaded to withdraw its opposition an
earnest effort would be promptly made TO
mass the Rartholdt bill repeating the anti
canteen law. ~ u -