Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-11-17
of German merchant vessels has been
nearly 100000 tons,
A DISAPPOINTMENT.

T President Wilson's stand, as out
lined in his New York speech, has
brought dismay to many of his
staunchest friends. Some are asking
themselves if this is the parting of
the ways. To break with this man
who has been the embodiment of so
much hope is hard; yet to follow him
in the new course he laid out may be
harder. Such q military plan as he
has outlined, If proposed by a stand.
pat Republican, or by an old-line Dem
ocrat, would have caused no surprise ;
but that it should have been put forth
by the man whom so many have
looked upon as the leader of a new
democracy is most discouraging.
The pathos of it all is that this mon.
strous military plan is proposed by a
man of peace. For President Wilson
does stand for peace. He has proven
it during the whole time of the Mexi
can tangle; he has demonstrated it
in the sharp clash with Germany; and
his every utterance from first to last
and the comfy of nations. 1t is not
aS ~ PuAPOSS IASkL SOAAPAS1AAI ID NV
made, but as to the means by which
he would avoid war. And here again
will arise confusion over our awk
ward dilemma. Practically all Amer
leans believe in some preparation fol
defense. Mr.. Bryan is by no means
a non-resistant. Not only has he
served as a volunteer soldier, but he
admits today that he might in the fu
ture fight in defense of his country
That is all that Mr.. Wilson advocates
preparation for defense. The differ
ence between them is not one of kind
but Of degree. Who is to say: This
much is legitimate defense, and that
much is militarism? Can we say thai
Mr.. Bryan's is the only course to paci
ficism, and that Mr.. Wilson's leads in
evitably to militarism? Must the paci
fist turn from the greatest peacemak
er who has occupied the Presidential
chair to seek another leader? Or shall
he remain, and by persistent and con
sistant opposition cut this monstrou!
military program to proper proper
tons?
| Political leaders are not to be meas
ured by the absolute, but by the rela
tive. 1t is not question of havinI
an ideal leader, but of getting the hes
leader available. What alternative il
in sight? Who measures up anywhere
near to Mr.. Wilson in the require
merits of democratic leader? In thi
same speech that has brought sucl
dismay to his friends the Presiden
promises diligence, firmness and SELF
possession in solving the "great dom
este questions" that confront us. MI
Wilson has been growing man. Hi
understanding has broadened an,
deepened since he took office; and h
has poise and firmness that max
him an efficient leader. But not evel
he can put through this military pre-
gram unless the people of the cour
try wish it. And if they do wish it
will be put through in spite of an
Opposition. This is a Representative
government, and the people do hav
their way.
i AS President Wilson took Yer
Cruz to prevent Congress from yielG
ing to popular clamor and declaring
war on Mexico, so he may himsel
have yielded to the clamor for pre-
paredness in presenting this militar,
program. But if this be his purpose
he has overshot the mark. He he
conceded altogether too much.
will be the duty of the more mode1
ate thinking leaders, in and out o
Congress, to trim this program to lee
itimate dimensions. And if the Pres
dent wishes to retain the allegianc
Of the democratic Democrats it will b
necessary for him to minimize his mi
itary plans and to maximize the "grea
domestic questions" He must no
overlook the fact that Washington i
in the eastern edge of the country
where people suffer from conserve
tive provincialism. There is a larg
territory and many people west G
the Allegheny Mountains. They az
plaud the Presidents internationa
idealism, but they do not wish to Sc
it held aloft on bayonets.-The Pull
!, lie.