Gilpin observer., 1914-12-24
WASHINGTON NEWS
BY Edward KeatIng.


T. Herrick, former governor of Ohio
and late ambassador to France. His
boom was formally launched when
he returned from Paris few days
ago and it Is being assiduously pro-
NOTED by lavish expenditure of mon
ey and adroit press agent work.
In last weeks letter pointed out
that the war party, which has appar-
emily gained control of the Republf-
can organization, had formulated the
principal plank for the Republican
platform in the campaign of 1916, and
that if the jingoes had their way
this country would be permanently
committed to militarism, with all
its attendant waste of men and mon
ey. Subsequent developments fully
sustain that prophecy.
Every Republican leader who has
delivered a speech in or out of Con-
gress during the last two weeks has.
to use the picturesque language of
"Marse Henry Watterson, of the
Louisville Courier-Journal, Wrapped
the flag around him, marched down
to the footkghts, fired two .hoss -pis-
tolls and died like son-of-a-gun.
In need Of a "hero."
There has been a sameness about
these performances which has be-
trayed their common origin. They
are all parts of the Republican cam
al, s<1, s- To rtro in
election of 1916.
A War party could not be success
without having a Hero for its
leader. Thanks to Woodrow Wilson,
this country is at peace with the
world, so the War party could not
find It's hero" among cur naval or
military men. Consequently it was
compelled to pick up Herrick, who
had the distinction of being the only
Republican diplomat on duty in the
war zone VIXEN hostil.ties began. In
London, Berlin, Vienna, Rome. Con-
stantincple and the other capitals OF
the warning nations, Democrats rep
resented this country.
problems that engaged the attention
Of Ambassador Herrick in Paris. and
the testimony of thousands of CRATE
ful refugees shows that they met
those problems with tact, ability and
courage.
The fact is that Minister Prand
Whitlcck at Brussels and Ambas-
sador Gerard at Berlin occupied
positions which were even more try
ing than that OF Herrick at Paris.
This is particularly true of Whitlock
who served as buffer between the
unfortunate Belgian people and the
German invaders.
Whitlock and Gerard would be
greatly amused If some one were to
attempt to hang a hero's medal on
them or present them to the country
Herrick. If permitted to have his way
would undoubtedly pursue the same
course, but the War party will not
listen to that. He is being assured
that he must lend himself to these
mock heroics in order that Wilson
may be put in a hole and Democratic
party driven from power. From pres
ent indications he will not resist the
program.
Herrick is a standpatter "of the
purest ray serene" He was made
governor of Ohio by Boss Mark Han
ma and ne was sent to France by
President Taft as a reward for the
work he did in the war between the
Progressive and Reacticnary ele-
ments in the Republican party. Every
special interest in the land will en-
Enthusiastically support him with votes
and money. With Herrick in the
White House. big Business" could
rest o'nights.
Spending a Billion dollars
1t costs more than one thousand
million dollars a year to run this
government. Where does Uncle Sam
get the money and how does he ex-
pend II?
will endeavor to throw little
light on this subject beginning
with next weeks letter.
From now until March 4. 1915. the
appropriation bills will have the
right.of.way in both houses. will
explain each bill as 1t comes before
the House, and attempt to point out
some of the costly leaks and some
OF the short-sighted economies which
are being practiced. ~
| take 1t for granted that the aver
age citizen knows as little about
national finances as did when
came to Washington two years ago.
If | am correct In that supposition.
many surprises are in store for the
readers of these letters.