The Alaska citizen., 1916-07-31


 stand out against the momentum Of 8 movement which can command tha rayr of national parties repre- scntin- practically The entire y0tiUl population of the United States.
 Gov. Ferguson took upon ltm- self the task of presenting and de lending the minority report on the tIoor oi the convention If he has any enemies. they missed great deal of pleasure if they were not present, for they could not have wished him to appear at poorer advantage. The friends of equal suf- frage ought to have his remarks printed and circulated as an evidence of the inability of the opponents of equal suffrage to justify their posi- tion. When Senator Stone. Senator Piuman and Senator Walsh who di- yided between them the time given to the majority report on this sub iect finished their speeches, the delegates proceeded to defeat their minority substitute by a vote of | moro than 500 to less than 200 A arge majority of the southern dele gates supported the suffrage plank. ana the great States of New York Pennsylvania and illinois cast the weight ol their influence in favor of the platform position.
 The preparedness plank is so moderate as to appeal to those who have opposed the eXtravagant de mands of the munition manufactur- CTS militarists and big employers of labor It is more conservative in it's wording than the Republican or Moose platform. The army is to be fully adequate to the requirements of order, of safety and of the pro lection of the nations rights"
 What a jewel of word the word "adequate' is It adjusts itself to the conscience and judgment of those who have to interpret it. It leaves Democratic legislators at lib erty to increase the appropriations when they are scarce, and at liberty also to reduce them when the war fever has run its course It even leaves them at liberty to reduce them to a minimum when the nations agree to disarm.
 As for the navy. the platform in dorses "a fixed policy for the con tinuous development of navy worthy to support the great naval traditions Of the United States, and fully equal to the international task which the United States hopes and expects to take part in performing !" This plank, too is sufficiently gen eral to permit Its acceptance by all l Democrats. however their views may differ in the statement of specific sums
 Pan-Americanism is praised and more intimate relationship favored In international affairs the admin istration position is commended; a protection of American rights at home and abroad is promised, and cooperation with other nations in the maintenance of security upon the highways of the sea suggested While some may read into this 1 1,,1a irI oF lo ,,, of the League to Enforce Peace that is not necessary construction Only a feasible association" is ad vocated and no association will be found more feasible that requires this country to entangle itself in the quarrels of Europe
 Strong indorsement is given to the Presidents course in dealing with the Mexican situation. The plat form supports him in the use of force to repel invasion and to pro tect our border, but intervention is specifically condemned, except as last resort The President is com mended for his Stubborn resistance" to every demand and suggestion to enter upon intervention.
 This plank Is one of the most inn portant ones in the platform. The Republicans assail the party's MeXi- can policy more vigorously than anything else, but their attacks will not succeed When they are con- fronted with the fact that inter- vention is the only alternative, they will find that the people, irrespec- tive of party will oppose interven- tion.
 The plank on Americanism is one of the longest in the platform. It covers every phase of the subject to which that name has been given. It condemns without reservation the conduct of any American citizen who individually or by association with others, attempts to embarraSs the government in dealing with in ternational affairs or to aid other governments. No one can find fault with the language employed, be cause no one would defend the things denounced. It is only the