The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-09-24
MIR. wilson's Critics.

DR.. Dumba's characterization OF Presl-
dent Wilson "a "self-wiIled" is hardly in
accord with The Tribune's contention
that Mr.. Wilson could not make up his
mind to any policy unreseryedly, and
that his course in regard TO Germany
has been weak, sbifty, eyasive, timor-
Gus" "begun with brave words that were
without the smallest meaning in fact, =
and only persisted in because the public
took them seriously.
This sudden discovery by those OPP
posed TO the administration for partisan
reasons that the American people have
been deceived will require more evidence
than has yet been brought forward in its
support before the public accepts.
For the most part the charge is based
on mean assumption and dishonorlng
conjecture Ii is assumed that President
Wilson, not meaning his "strict account
ability" note, wrote the protest only for
political effect. II is conjecture that Mr..
Bryan in his talks with Dumba gave a
"tip." and that Germany persisted in
her submarine methods because her gov
eminent understood that the admins
tration at Washington did not much
care whether they were stopped or not.
President Wilson is thus presented as
probably the most contemplate trick
ster ever developed in American public
hfe-as man willing to tritie with
the great issues in order TO gain party
advantage.
Aside from the Bryan umba episode
land neither Bryan nor Dumba Is a good
witness concerning its naturel, the
charge that the president was hyPocriti-
cal in his "strict accountability note
rests on the fact that he did not imme-
diately call Congress and advise dec.
laration of war after the Lusitania out
rage. II the Lusitania tragedy was OF
such a nature a. absolutely 70 require
militant action, then. OF course. some
sort 81 case can be made out against
the president But the deduction that
war was automatically necessary - un-
warranted. No responsible newspaper OF
responsible public man declared that
there was no choice except 20 so 10
war. Though the situation was grave
ID was universally recognized that
peaceable adjustment was possible. Those
who approved and spplauded the "strirt
accountability note when il appeared.
and then. following the destruction Of
tie rusitania. consented 20 and advised
further negotiations, thus accuse them
selves Of sacillation and weakness when
they accuse toe president,
N i fortunate thnt the adminlstra-
ton did not automatically react into
holl.cosity when the lnsitania went !
down. Except FOR n few extremists the
country = well satisfied with the fact
that Germany vas given time % back I
down and that il Was recognized that 4
questions Of TACT had to BE- settled before
We vrntuoi on giving the term "stTiet 4
accountability" an exact definition. A
large uumher 81 good Americans were I
and are Of the opinion that the right Of 4
Ameriean citizens g. travel on muntion-
CARRYING Siigerent ships was not hig
rnonrh issuc = dignity q war. TIE
theory prevailed that II the country /
went 81 var ID shonid rather b. on more
general aruunas~un such an issue. fnr I
aKamfle. a. wns raised wkcn the basis
ri nu international Law vas assaulted
wien The nrutralIzed belgium vas M
yHaed III
Crtnssm 81 President Wflson founded
an tla faat that BE- 90 not preeirliiste
nar aisn fi.s flasfruia aeHt down g. in
.sarrfs a. frrFessinn Uf aissatisiaetipf
nith tle feet tilat ths egHntrF = sttsi -
.naas ~ b nai Nteir tlHt fartisnn
asfuaf uin - uiata 81 nssuuii ua th.s
ina. Yes Auk fslps-