Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-10-28

mediate motion two opposing political currents One set OF
people will be moved to support Wilson, matter what may
have been their previous intentions regarding the next chief
magistrate OF nation Others will regard this announce
ment sounding the political death nel of the President
host of Americans will deeply resent any on the
part of particular nationality represented in
ton to punish President Wilson for doing his duty in de-
lending the rights Of citizens the high seas The
spectacle of GermanAmercans raising the flag of Germany
in American politics will inevitably prove boomerang for
those engaged seeking to hyphenize President of the
United States That would be true regardless of the party
to which the head of the nation might happen to belong
On the other hand the sounding of the slogan OF Ger
manAmerican opposition President Wilson will the
loss of hundreds of thousands of votes 1t to be taken for
granted that the influences have led Massachusetts
citizens of German birth to organize against President Will
son will also operate in other State WE'LL The
gregate vote thus represented might easily hold the balance
of political power other counteractng influence
make itself felt in connection with the next election
Strangely enough there not few American voters
who indignant with President Wilson because he has
sh observance of American rights in his dealing with
R, THESE o say the President has allowed
consequent interruption and encouragement of American
commerce in all directions and that the British
authorities in Washington.
President Wilson is also severely criticised by many be-
Germany responsible every violation of American rights
yet really secured no PREPARATION whatever for the drowning
OF hundred or so Americans in connection with sinking
OF the Lus1tania by German submarine They hold
over that Mr. Wilson allowed the German government to
warfare had Resulted in the PRACTICAL Observation-Disclosures
OF he kalsers submarines from British waters
from ~ u rere was no 1qrther damage to American life
considerable force to this view.
This consideration ought help conciate the German
voters IN TINS country and them to look with less dis
favor on the Presidents anagonsm of faherand in
various other The bitterness the German senti
ent however, to overshadow completely any temper
ing consefation regarding Wilson's administration of
1Ufegn aiarS Nothing but the most acrimonious antag
ohsn would lead body of voters openly express their
determination to defeat the President the United States
for reelection. ~
The in which President Wilson has backed wat
er regarding the Lustana without conciang the German
voters OF and other States helps emphasize
the extent to which he has reversed himself we'll his
par position in connection with various important
as well regard to Mexico other international affairs
The democratic national platform of 1912 demanded free
tolls for American coaswse shipping through the Panama
canal When Mr. Wilson became president he insisted that
democrats in Congress repeal the clause the pro-
ydng free toll American ships engaged in transportation
between naa American n ports and it was so done
to salute the American flag partial PREPARATION for firing
upon American marines That salute still remains to be
MADE Watchful waiting has month after month
while American residents in Mexico have been suffering loss
of life and made the victims of all of ndgntes say
nothing of firing into American territory and killing soldiers
OF the United States The Wilson administration encouraged
Vlla ana allowed weapons and ammunition to percolate
across the border with special reference the
his arms To-day embargo has been placed American
arms and ammunition with special reference the vanqush
When Congressman Gardner began his inpetuous de-
mand for adequate national defence years ago.
PRESIDENT Wilson said this academic question which
ne had heard discussed since he ten years old
moreover ne suggested that Gardeners agitation of the SUBJ
Ject afforded good mental exercise.
To-day President Wilson is agile advocacy
OF adequate preparation for national defence than was the
eervesccnt from the Bay State He has gone
Gardner several better by advocating army and naval
program covering period of five and involving nearly
billion dollars. Indeed the Presidents championship of
decentralization has moved his late secretary of state to
speech and is significant that Bryan now stands on this
issue about where Wilson stood when Gardner started the
ball rolling ~
President Wilson surprised the southern sugar planters
by advocating free in the Underwood tariff BILL despite
the loss of than $5000000O of revenue with benefit
simply to the trust Congress took Wilson at his word
but to-day Secretary McAdoo of the treasury department
who speaks for the Wilson administration this connection
Congress will be asked December to repeal the
free sugar clause of the Underwood tariff act
The seaans act which Congress passed and President
Wilson signed and the shipping Hill which did
not become law both the occasion of changing front
on the part of the President Mr. Wilson proclaimed him
self in favor of preferential presidential primaries when he
assumed office but he has conveniently forgotten the issue
In these and various other ways President Wilson has
shown that he is enough change mind or as his
opponents might say, shift his position
. We suspect however, that when all is said and done
the great and overshadowng feature of the political sta
ton in 1916 will be that President Wilson has been able to
Keep the American nation out of That will out
weigh host OF presidential sins of omission and commits
sion. ~ 1''''