Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-31
THE SITUATION

II
evening OF November Z. The most
important problems in half century
will face America on the morning OF
November 8. no matter who is elected
and will continue 20 face us for four
years, and doubtless for forty years
more
We have been living for the fve
months OF the campaign almost entirely
on retrospect. Both parties have been
looking backward. the Democrats to de-
fend their record, the Republicans to at.
tack IL. Prophecies have been made by
both Sides but they have been prophecies
seen through the experiences OF the past
in the light OF general facts. rather than
prophecies based on the actual present
In the light OF the special facts that
must guide the turn of AFFAIRS. Let us
set out what the immediate future
actually threatens:
First. A tightening OF the strain upon
the b,ockaded Central Empires, result
ing in a sharpening of the struggle be-
tween the sinking withdrawing party
and the ing-without-warning party
in Germany.
Second The possibility Of war with
Germany II the sinking.without-warnl
party wins in the Reichstag and in gain
ing the Kaiser's ear and the ensuing
necessity OF conducting the first vital
foreign war in our history since 1912.
Third. II we are not drawn into the
war. the reorganization Of our industry
and trade to meet an unprecedented con.
dition not only in the actively belligerent
European countries. but in Japan, China.
Canada, India, South America, Scandi-
navia, Holland and Spain.
How are the Democratic and Repub-
lican parties equipped to meet these
issues7
First. The Democratic majority is not
taken seriously by the sinking-without-
warning party in Germany. Won Tirpitz
and his followers would like to crush
"our Anglo-American enemies" as their
leader expresses 1t. They believe that Mr..
Bryan's assurances to Austria that our
protests are not to be taken seriously
express a peace-atany-price spirit in this
country. They believe America will fear
to resent pitiless submarine campaign
to starve England by putting 200 tor
pedoboats In the seas west of the British
Isles. even though that fear deprive us
Of most Of our commerce.
The Republican party is traditionally
the party of able Secretaries of State
who make no statement that is not backed
up by action. John Hay. Elihu Root
great American statesmen of the past.
Such leaders In this party have con-
demned the foreign policy of the Dem.
ocrats as shifty and dangerous. The only
answer 10 them is, what will you do in
our placer" The obvious rejoinder is that
they could have no say in the Govern
ment for four months and four days,
during which time the situation will. per-
force, change hourly, and that they can
only vigorously urge the Administration
to profit by their criticism to avoid fur
ther abdications of American rights.
Second. For the emergency OF war the
Democrats would offer to the country a
President who told the country In De-
cember. 1914. that there was mo need
to discuss" the national defense, assisted
by Secretary Baker and Secretary
Daniels.
The Republicans would offer a fearless
Executive. Secretary OF War on the
plane of Goethais and n Secretary of the
Navy on the plane OF Admiral Fiske.
Third. For the Industrial emergency
the Democrats offer a Congress that
would interpret the findings OF the Tarin
Board to suit the nonmanufacturing sec
tions of the country.
The Republicans offer a Congress that
would interpret the findings of the Tariff
Board to suit both the nonmanufacturing
and the manufacturing sections OF the
country.