The Washington herald., 1915-08-12
Republican Task More Difficult.


Senator William E. Chiffon. of West Virginia,
is credited with the statement that in his opin-
ion, Col. Roosevelt's chances for nomination as
the candidate of the Republican party for Presi-
dent are better than those of any other man in
the country. and he is quoted as adding: Il don't
think there is any man on earth who can beat
Wilson for another term in the White House. 1
am sure that Roosevelt cannot do it and l do not
know of any other man." Republicans will not
have to analyze Senator Chilton's remarks to dis
his conviction that they are in very bad
way, indeed. Just at this time, tweve-month
from the opening of the Presidential campaign,
thoughtful G. o. P. leaders would be grateful for
more warnings from the opposition like that
sounded by Senator Chiffon; for it is quite ap-
parent that the Republicans not to have the
walkover next year that indicated six or
eight months ago. Reports from all parts of the
country tell the story that President Will
is stronger today than at any period OF his
administration. If the Republicans are to win
their way back to power the campaign of educa-
tion must be broadened and prosecuted with vigor
and the work of organization must be begun with
out loss of time
year in advance of the nomination, with
great events moving swiftly, is too early for Sc
rious consideration of candidates, but none too
soon to appeal for a renewal of allegiance to the
economic principles which the Republican party
represents. Not forgetting the sad results of the
administrations lack of policy toward Mexico, it
must be presumed that its chief weakness is the
Underwood tariff law, that has made vacuum
in the Treasury which the income tax and the
special war tax have been unable to fill Its great
est strength lies in the policy that has thus far
preserved the nations honor and yet kept it out
of the European war. Signs of the moment are
that the administration, in spite of itself, will be
forced to act in Mexico and make amends for its
past sins of omission. Should this about,
with no vital change in European relations,
the great issue of the battle OF 1916 will be eco
nomc, with only popular approval Of the Presi-
dents policies to be depended upon to offset the
blight of the tariff law upon the nations prosper
ity. For the parties likely to strike even
balance if response is necessary to a demand for
preparedness for national defense. In the event,
however, that election day should find the country
at war with Mexico, this would necessarily be
another factor in favor of victory for President
Wilson
Taking this view of the 1916 battlefield, the
wisdom of nominating Col. Roosevelt the Re-
publican candidate is far from apparent. His per-
sona popularity is an asset but it is easily offset
theories of government which he advocated in
1912, and personal popularity is not through
ticket to the White House. Conceding that Pres-
dent Wilson's chief claim for votes is his peace
record, why should the Republicans expose them
selves to damage that issue by pitting against
him Col. Roosevelt, the warrior, whose recent
utterances indicate that in the White House, he
might have had his country at war with Germany
forty-cight hours after the sinking of the Lus-
tana' The party is not lacking in statesmen
whose views on the tariff are quite as sound as
those OF Col Roosevelt and whose qualifications
for bringing mature dcliberaton" to their aid in
firmly upholding the nations rights and honor in
face of foreign crisis would not suffer by COM
parson with those of President Wilson.
So, the Republicans called upon to choose
their candidate this month next, neither argu-
ment oratory could win the nomination for
Col. Roosevelt; and it is barely possible to i'm
agine a situation developing within a year that
would point to him the strongest opponent of
President Wilson Most Republicans, probably
will agree with Senator Chiffon, who is sure that
Col. Roosevelt cannot defeat him, but will refuse
concur in the West Virginia statesman's further
boast that no other is equal to the task. But
it is task-a big task--that the G. O. P must
set about preparing for forthwith if it is to be
accomplished.