Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-11-15
A CRITICS VIEW OF THE ADMIN.
ISTRATIoN. -

Il
| Holualoa, Hawaii, Nov. IL, 1915.
Editor Honolulu Star.Bulletin.
Sir: Thank you for your kindly
notice and criticism OF my last Satur-
days instalment H.:
The esteem and appreciation of my
friends all over Hawaii Is something
treasure more deeply than ] can ex-
press; every mail gives evidence Of
the friendly federation with which they
regard my always emphatically ex.
pressed opinions ~ <,-.
These they are willing to allow me
as a point Of view, feeling that my
personal affection for German or Ally
cannot be affected by whatever diff
ference of opinion may aHse.
1t is impossible that we should all
agree upon so momentous question
as the war: or that even Americans
can see the present Administration
from the same angle.
While we may try to be fair, we
have still the slant of individual out
look and limitation. III,
should hate to be unduly censori-
Gus or hypercritical towards our own
loved President at q time when mo-
tives of the best, and measures care
fully considered, must seem made
quate. to large mass of our people.
And at this present moment no one
appreciates more deeply than do the
intrinsic virtues of Woodrow Wilson.
i am proud that America produces
such men, as it has produced others.
/ am glad that thousands of capable
citizens throughout our country are
satisfied to remain private citizens
because 1t is not in any way fitting
that they should be President
There are plenty of bigger jobs In
the United States than that of presi.
dent, but this particular job takes very
peculiar and essential qualities which
most OF us lack.
1t was a very good thing that
Aaron Burr, Franklin, Clay, Calhoun,
Webster, Greeley, Blaine never be-,
came President, though among these,
were some greater than most of the
Ny real criticism Of this Administra-
ton was that our wordy, numerous
and elaborate protests did not carry
weight because we could not back
them up by an adequate army and
navy. It seemed a good deal like a
little unfairly treated boy shooting off
his mouth at a grown-up bully.
wished to point out the fact that
by. oyer emphasis. in protest and mex
cusabie indiffefence to defehge lby-I
legitimate armament -Wesamissed the !
chance to impress the truth OF the Sit
uation upon any fortifed power.
A firmer and less ffative policy at
the beginning Wpald haFessaVed us all
the trying period between our first
protest and this very recent stiffening
of our backbone Ia regard to prepared |
ness.
The nations were shaking their |
sides over our Mexican watching and
waiting when the War sobered them.
But they remembered the policy, and
had their opinion of d President who
tolerated 'Petticoat" Bryan, with .his
peace yagaries, called a season Of
prayer to end the war, and kept on
threatening what he would do If Eng
land did this or Germany did that.
Who can doubt that Mr.. Wilson has
taken a step forward regarding mill
tary preparedness, which is entirely
beyond the limit of anything he dream.
ed of when Mr.. Bryan was secretary
of state? -. s.
The almost universal unfavorable
criticism of the press here and abroad,
Mr.. Roosevelt's singing protests
by word of pen and mouth, Mr. Taft's
final outspoken condemnation of the
Mexican and Philippine policies, have
had their weight with the President
He is not imperyious to conviction,
and radical change of opinion. We
Republicans, especially. remembered
Mr. Wilson's declaration in the Demo
cratic platform-and his subsequent
turn-about on the canal toll matter.
1t Is well known that at one. time
Mr.. Wilson did not favor woman suf.
frage, but he has changed. am very
glad that Mr.. Wilson is convinced
that the United States stands in need
of an adequate army and navy; that
as a good Presbyterian he is bringing
forth Bible arguments to sustain his
war-like attitude. -. ~, r.. ~
Without accepting any analogy be.
tween our condition and that of the
people of Israel, we may we'll agree
with Mr.. Wilson that self respect and
self protection demand that we have
a navy capable Of defending our coas-
tai cities against any attack whether
from Germany or from England; that
we have an army ready to defend any
land border that might be attacked.
We are glad, incidentally, that Mr..
Wilson has changed his mind upon a
matter which touches our local inter.