The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-09-10
GIBSON FLAYS FOREIGN
POLICY OF WILSON
ADMINISTRATION

]. H. GIBSON. chairman of the Pro-
gressive State Central Committee, in
response to a request for an inter-
view on the political situation, from
the California Outlook of Los An
geles, has prepared a statement of the
condition and outlook as he views
them. Mr.. GIBSON feels that the Pro-
gressive movement was entirely justi-
fed by the logic of events. He holds
that the Progressive party should
maintain its present position until
such time as the general situation of
1910 can be better judged.
Mr.. Gipson states that our national
prestige at home and abroad has been
dealt such fearful blows by Messrs.
Wilson and Bryan that every decent
citizen should hang his head in shame.
II will take many years of firm diplo-
macy to restore our self respect"
Not an Aid Society.
Mr.. GIBSON does not feel that the
Progressive party should be main
tanned if it shall develop into an aid
and appanage of the Democratic
party. While the organization should
be maintained for the present if it
should be that the great issues of ma
tional defense and strong foreign
policy, are not settled by 1916, then
the Progressives will join with any
other political party which stands for
them. Mr.. GIBSON says: eff a Pro-
gressive national ticket in 1916 would
contribute to Wilson's chances of re-
election, with the two great issues
still unsettled, l should question the
patriotism of our course"
Statement in Full.
In view of his prominence in Pro-
gressive circles the following state
ment in full by Mr.. Gipson becomes
of more or less interest:
August 10, 1915.
The California Outlook,
524 South Spring Street,
Los Angeles, Cal.
Meyer Lissner, Editor.
Dear Mr.. Lissner:-
The national situation is SO puzzling
that | am frankly unable to reach any
conclusion as to what our course
should be in 1916.
The logic of events has established
beyond debate the correctness of the
Progressive position on the great fun
damental questions which were the is
sues in the last campaign We were
right on the tariff, we were right on
our attitude toward big business. we
were unquestionable right in our de-
mands for humanitarian legislation,
and for in our demands for legislation
to increase our economic and social
efficiency.
There is, however, a strong question
in my mind whether the issues of 1912
can be made the issues of 1916. AT
the present time, dwarfing to insight
ficance all other matters are great
questions of Adequate Defense and A
Strong Foreign Policy. The very ex-
istence of the nation is threatened by
the past attitude of the administration
toward the first, and our national
prestige at home and abroad has been
dealt such fearful blows by Messrs.
| Wilson and Bryan, that every decent
citizen should hang his head in shame.
1t Will take many years of firm diplo-
macy to restore our self respect, and
TO redeem our reputation abroad. 1t
may be that these two great issues
VIII be IN some measure at least, set
tied, before the platforms of 1916 are
written; II they are not. I can
imagine no greater national calamity
that could befall America than four
more years of Wilson.
therefore advocate the mainten
ance of our present position until such
time as we can better Judge as to
the general situation in 1916. Every
effort should be made to maintain the
organization. Progressives every
where should register as Progress
sives; tickets should be named in the
primaries and at the conventions oc-
curing this year; we should proceed
with a view of going into the fight
next year just as we did in 1912, but
the attitude of the party in 1916 must
be governed by the necessity of first
maintaining the national honor at
home and abroad. If a Progressive
national ticket in 1916 would contrib
ute to Wilson's chances of reelection.
with the two great issues still unset
tied, l should question the patriotism
OF our course.
Yours truly,
J. H. GIBSON,
Chairman Progressive State Central
Committee.