East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-10-03

d ''''ft
In their appeal 20 the president Go
take immediate steps 90 end the war
In Europe the suffra-
stop Nagging gist leaders who pre-
The President tend TO speak for a
million women pat
ronizingly inform Mr.. Wilson that mo
diplomatic conventions should be al.
lowed to stand in the way OF the most
expeditions means Of securing medi-
alton"
There are two methods by which a
nation can exert influence in inter
national affairs. one is through "di-
plomatic conventions" The other IS
by means OF war Do the suffragist
leaders expect the president TO issue
a peace ultimatum to the nine bel
ligerent powers and then ask con-
gress to declare war against them II
they do not Immediately consent to
mediation? Do they think the pres
ident can decide the issues involved
in this great conflict, fix the respon-
sibility rearrange the boundaries
apportion the indemnities. penalize
the defeated and dictate the terms OF
"a general European peace?
There are no expeditions means of
securing mediation" except war, and
war has not yet driven any Of the
belligerents TO seek mediation. In
rendering the good offices Of the
United states the president has done
all that he could do and all that the
United states government can do. Ger
many is certainly not going TO with
draw her armies from French soil
because American suffragists are in
hurry for mediation. nor is it likely
that the allies will stop fighting mere
ly 10 oblige these amiable and we'll.
meaning women. Mediation will come
when one side or the other is ready
for it, and not before.
The various aggregations Of self
advisers who are nagging the presi-
dent in the name Of peace are in a
fair way 10 'eaken the moral influ-
ence Of the United States, If not to
make the country ridiculous. As the
president said yesterday. this is 4
great world crisis and only serious
remedies should be discussed. These
petitions and mass meetings and pri-
vate proclamations are anything but
serious remedies. II the president !
paid heed to them he would merely |
make a nuisance of himself in every 7
European capital. and when the time |
came at which he might accomplish
for civilization We should |
be powerless. An international busy
body is no more popular than an in
iividual busybody.
This war is not our war. We did /
not make it and we cannot end it.
II we mind our own business. how
sver we may be able to smooth the
10 peace when blood and
ron have determined the main issues.
Il we do not mind our own business
We shall be regarded as impertinent
neddlers and shall have no influence
or good whatever.
The president has been petitioned
.nough and nagged enough. He
Snows the situation better than any
# his self-appointed counsellors. His
motives are quite as exalted as those
Il his volunteer advisers Let him
York World.
An effort is made TO secure votes
or DR.. withycombe on the argument
that he represents
the the rural ele-
Rural Element. ment." But he is
not representing
he best interests of that element.
he chief thing the farmers want is
he most economical government pos
ible so that taxes may be held to
he minimum. Now there is but one
ray to hold down taxes and that lies
. holding down appropriations DR.
mith takes the flat footed stand that {
he governor should watch the leg
stature closely and curb its extrava- .
ances. He refuses to accept the r
heory that the governor should
rive to keep lin harmony" with the