Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-13
DEMOCRAT LEADERS
N FINE FEATHER
BELIEVE COURSE OF EVENTS is
WORKING TOWARD SUCCESS
AT POLLS.
WAR DEVELOPMENTS
AN AID TO WILSON
Party to Make Political Capital Out Of
Diplomatic Victory in Arabic and
Other cases-Efforts Being Made to
Soothe Voters in Sugar States-Re-
markabe Change of Front.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Oct IS. - Administra-
ton leaders in Washington are in high
! feather these days. They believe the
outlook for the reelection of Wilson
and a democratic congress is SO far
improved by recent events that the re-
publicans will have uphill work in 1916
1t is not putting the case too strong
ly to say that democratic leaders here
have convinced themselves in the last
ten days or two weeks .nat their party
is gcing to wir in 1916. They are in
cheerful and exalted state of mind ac-
cordingly.
Without much difficulty, it is possi-
bic TO perceive the reasons for this new
frame of mind. To go back to year
ago last summer, before the European
war opened, the public mind had been
sufficiently directed to the shortcom-
ings of democratic policy as 10 make
it seem proha bile the democrats would
have hari time of it in 1916. In fact.
plenty Of able democrats could be
found in Washington, in congress and
out of 1t, who were ready TO concede
there was practically no hope.
war AIDS Wilson,
Then the storm of war broke over
Europe. Financial panic in this coun-
try was at first threatened, or at any
rate feared. This fear gradually sub
sided ard now for some months past
there has teen evidence both of
gradual Improvement of business con-
tiitions and OF the fact that the war
IL Europs car go on for good many
-
needing 10 apprehend serious financial
trouble over it.
So long as the submarine contro-
verss with Germany remained acute
and il was Impossible to say whether
the United States would get into war,
there was OF course, the utmost poll
ticai uncertainty. Moreover. for many
months there was bitterness mani
tested against the administration by
German elements in this country
Under such circumstances. administra-
ton leaders were much in the air
about the 1910 outlook. To make their
troubles the greater, Bryan quit the
cabinet and threatened to leave in the
wake of his going lot of factional diff
ticulties.
Make Capital Of Arabic Case.
Suddenly the Arabic case was adj
justed Immediately there arose a great
chorus from democratic politicians ano
papers saying the administration would
be strengthened tremendously by the
achievement The democratic leaders
began TO advance the view that by rea-
son of the adjustment pro- German
voters in this country would forget
their hostility to the administration.
And then there was a series OF I'M
portant dey eiopments of political
bearing, nearly all of them astutely
designed TO help smooth out the path
of the democrats toward victory next
year.
To soothe the feelings of voters in
sugar states. it went out that tariff
would be retained indefinitely on
sugar. To relieve the feelings of those
who have been saying the country
would be invaded by horde of low
priced imports after the war. assur-
ances went cut that the administration
would see to it there was no dump
ing" The president declared, by
great change from III. policy OF q
year ago, that the country must have
strong and adequate national de-
Tense. Advocacy of woman suffrage
by the White House followed. Other
important policies have been fore
Swallowed.
That democratic leaders look on the
policies here indicated, despite the fact
they show some remarkable reversals
of front, as certain to bring them votes.
there is no doubt. They do not con-
ceal 1t. ON the contrary, they say
openly the republican party is being
put into a position where it will find
! campaigning next year to be the hard
! est sort of shedding.