The Alaska citizen., 1915-08-23
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LOOKING TOWARD 1916.

There is much industry among the politicians CI the country. and there is much discussion of men and issues on the part of the people Al this distance 1916 looks like an in- terestins year, and chiefly because of it's uncertainties.
 The United States, facing a pres idential campaign within twelve month. is conscious Of the fact thai parochial politics may be wholly oyershadowed by issues of world i'm which parties are wont to divide may give place to problems inyolv- ing international relations and for eign policy. Even should the war end before the parties meet in convention or the people go to the polls it is still probable that uppermost in the nations mind will be the attitude the United States is to hold in years 10 come toward world politics.
 Should we be drawn into Europe's controversy, that fact would throw all other questions into obseurity. it would remove the issue of foretel policy from the realm of academic discussion and partisan debate and would thrust it upon the people as one of immediate and grayest moment for national destiny Unless it were clear that by gross bIunder or culpable weakness the present administration had brought Us to such a crisis, the inclination of the people would be to sustain it and to give to President Wilson a re newal of confidence. It is a poor horse that the people will risk swap ping when crossing a stream.
 But assuming that the United States maintains it's friendly rela- tions with the world-and We have faith that this will be true-there will be wider liberty for debate and less curb upon differences of opinion and party conflict.
 In this event we believe the su- preme issue of 1916 will be. What part shall the United States take in world politics, and how shall il pre- pare to take it?' In other words, the campaign will turn on the defini- tion of Americanism of opinion and party conflict.
 into this issue enters the question of the rights of American citizens, the protection of those rights and the preparedness of the country to enforce them Shall We declare that the strength of the United States is behind it's citizens in pursuit Of their lawful business on land and sea? Or shall We adhere 10 the poli- cy that We eXemplified when Ameri- cans were urged by the state depart ment to withdraw from Mexico. leaving property and homes to the mercy of brigands and insurrection- ists?
 Into this issue will enter also the question of whether Americans shall speak or keep silence when questions involving the welfare of our complex and closely interrelated civilization arise beyond the sphere of the Mon. roe doctrine.
 Shall we protest if the territory of neutral nations is violated? Or shall we permit to go unchallenged incidents such as those which made battle-ground of Belgium and brought humiliation to the infant republic of China?
 Americans are thinking about these things today. Americans of vision are realizing that the world is being transformed not merely for Europe but for the United States. The new America will be a nation Of vast marine commerce; it will have many more ships requiring the pro lection of international law than now carry it's flag. It will be industrial ly and commercially a leader among nations It will have the right to voice in world politics such as it has not hitherto claimed, and it's interests will demand the exercise of that right.
 While the politicians are discuss ing the chances of favorite sons and laying their plans for primary inducements and control of delega- tions, the drift of events and tha quiet thought of the people are shaping a situation that will not be satisfied with other than big men. No candidate who thinks in the terms that were adequate before August l, 1914, and who cannot visualize and voice the new outlook and the new formula is fit for the present need.