The Washington herald., 1916-04-23
A Problem for Chicago.

In less than two months from now the Dem
ocratic party will nominate Woodrow Wilson for
second term as President of the United States
and while his fate at the hands of the people
next November is probably yet to be deter
mined by events in Mexico and Germany the
party leaders may proceed to plan the campaign
for his reelection with certain knowledge of the
candidate and the issues If the country should
be so fortunate as to escape war with the nations
with which it is now in controversy without
sacrifice of honor or rights, the party in power
will present a claim upon the confidence of the
people that will scarcely be denied and Republi-
cans will be forced to recognize the probability
of Mr.. Wilson's reelection. On the other hand
should November find the United States at war
with either Germany or Mexico tradition will
be upset if the people vote for change of lead
ershp while the nation has a fight on its hands.
Republican chances of success, therefore, will be
incalculably greater should no settlement be eff
fccted with Germany, settlement based upon
REIMBURSEMENT of our rights and contentious,
and should the Mexican problem remain un-
solved with the long list of crimes against our
citizens unavenged.
On the Republican side, with its convention
less distant by a week than that of the Demo-
Gratis, confusion prevails as to the candidate and
hence, necessarily, as to issues. 1t is recognized
now that certain of the financial interests are
supporting Col Roosevelt and while the public
clamor for his nomination may be mostly on the
surface and somewhat exaggerated it is certain
that he will be a powerful factor in the G. o. P.
convention.
In connection with the Coloneps candidacy,
the surprising strength displayed by Mr.. Henry
Ford, the great pacifst, in some of the Western
States, notably Nebraska difficult as it is to
analyze, must be taken into consideration by the
Republican leaders If Mr. Ford's strength in
the West is really due to his pronounced con-
victions in favor of peace at any price-and it is
difficult to attribute it to anything 1ess-the
Colonel candidate would certainly antagonize
many thousands whose votes the Republicans
will need. These people of the West cherish
but faint hope of course, of Mr.. Ford's nomina-
ton, but if he represents their ideals they can
hardly bring themselves to vote for Col Roose-
velt If to the representatives of the peace senti-
ment are added those staunch Republicans who
must yet be resentful of the Colonels part in
the last campaign, reason enough is apparent for
careful calculation of how far he would be
likely to fall short of commanding the normal
Republican vote. No one will be so reckless
as to assume that the Republicans will have
any votes to throw away no matter what the
conditions may be in November and if an ear
nest effort is made at Chicago to put the partys
greatest vote-gatherer in the field Col. Roosevelt
will be subjected to a rigid appraisal that may
result in the selection of another.
Meantime the Hughes sentiment is growing
and, with word coming from him, it seems
to be taken for granted that his views upon the
great and important issues coincide with those
Of the majority of his countrymen, so much so
that in some quarters widely separated the notni-
nation is conceded to him. And it must be ad-
mtted that recent political developments are of a
nature to justify in no small measure these ex-
pressons of confidence.