Gilpin observer., 1915-12-16
WILL THEY VOTE FOR WAR?

When the Republican leaders in
begin their much-advertised
attack on the presidents foreign poll
cies, what do they intend to offer?
They complain that the presidents
diplomacy has been contented with
words when action was required. Ac-
ton means war. Will the Republi-
cans demand war?
The Constitution of the United
States vests in congress the power
to declare war. Any member of con-
gress is within his constitutional
rights when he introduces a resolu-
tion declaring war against any coun-
try with which the United States
has a quarrel, or, for that matter,
with, which the United States has no
quarrel. There are no constitutional
limitations or restrictions upon this
sovereign power of declaring war
which belongs to congress and to
congress alone. No president may
curb it or interfere with it.
Does any Republican member of
congress purpose to introduce, a reso-
luton declaring that the United
States is at war with Germany or
Great Britain or Turkey or Mexico?
Unless he is prepared to do this, up
on what grounds can he criticise the
presidents foreign policy?
If it be argued that diplomatic re-
latlons with Germany, for example,
should be suspended in case an i'm
mediate SETTLEMENT of the Lusitania
matter cannot be effected, here again
the power of congress is beyond con-
troversy. 1t may direct the presi-
dent to suspend diplomatic relations,
Tie probability that such action
would be preliminary to war makes
congress the only branch of govern
ment which may properly assume the
responsibility for so momentoua
step.
Are the Republican members of
congress prepared to vote for res
olution to end all diplomatic inter
course with Germany?
And SO with Mexico. What has
been done by the president there can
be undone by congress if congress
chooses. Sanator' Weeks of Ma -sachu-
setts, WHO is a Republican, aspirant
for the Presidency, recently attacked
the president for refusing to recog
nize Huerta. Huerta happens to be
in Jail at the present time on a charge
Of violating the neutrality laws of the
United States, but congress can re-
solve that Huerto is and ought to be
provisional president OF Mexico. 1t
can declare war against the existing
government of Mexico for the pur-
pose of re-establishing Huerto in
power. Or it can declare war against
the existing government of Mexico iT.
the name of Intervention and Amer
ican control
Will Senator Weeks introduce a
resolution to send the United States
army into Mexico?
What applies to Germany and Mex
leo applies as well to every objection
that is raised against the presidents
foreign policy. Mr.. Roosevelt pro-
fesses to believe that under The
Hague Convention the United States
ought to have resisted the German
invasion Of Belgium. TIE, United
States can still resist the German in
vasion of Belgium II congress so
chooses, and more effectively than it
could have done a year ago. 1t. can
enter the war for OF against any of
the belligerents for whatever reason
is satisfactory to the congress of the
United States. A president may in
volve the United States in war If he is
indiscreet or reckless, but no presi-
dent can keep the United States out
of war II congress is determined up
on war.
There can be no sincere criticism
o: the presidents foreign policies by
men who are too cowardly TO exercise
the power and responsibility which is
exclusively vested in them by the
constitution Of the United States. II
the Republican leaders in congress
are dissatisfied with the presidents
policies, let them be honest enough
to face the alternative Of war and
let them be sincere enough to vote
for war.-New York World.