The Washington herald., 1916-08-08
Mr.. Hughes Begins Speech Tour.

hrst appeal for votes his campaign tour IN
Detroit. The number and length of the speeches
showed that the Republican nominee is in fine
fettle and the things he said showed that he is
on his mettle. His speeches possessed the same
ring that characterized his address of acceptance
and the message that he sent to Chicago few
hours after his nomination. To say that he up
held his reputation, termed in the language Of
the streets some talker," is putting it mildly.
The speeches confirmed the belief that the
campaign lengthens the nominee will not only
greatly elaborate upon the issues set forth in his
speech of acceptance but will inject new issues
In bringing up new issues at the moment
when they will serve him best Mr. Hughes has
shown himself a past master. The most recent
example, in the opinion of some Republicans
and some suffragists and perhaps some Demo-
Gratis when he threw down the gauntlet to
President Wilson on the question of votes for
women Many other well-known examples
might be cited from his political in New
York when he seized upon questions OF the mo-
ment and utilized them for his advantage
And in this campaign, by steadfastly refusing to
be caJolcd into revealing his plans prematurely
he has reserved to himself the advantage of
do him most good. Therefore, he is on the Of
fensive instead of the defensive and has begun
his campaign according to his own plans instead
OF following the plans mapped by his opponent.
In his speeches yesterday Mr. Hughes did not
create new issue the capital and labor ques-
ton, but his words paved the way for an as
sault in the event that the administration fails
to control the threatened railroad strike In his
Endorsement of national movement for the bet
terment of working in America is the nu-
cleus for strong issue of which we may expect
more And through his discussion of these ran
the keynote of his campaign, "Americanism"
He brought the questions together in these
words:
1--WE can't stand between capital and labor.
We are not capitalists or laborers. We are all
American citizens" And again, in speaking Of
welfare work for laboring men, he said:
After all, the human factor is the only real
factor. The man who works must feel that the
country is doing right by him. He's entitled to
be safe in his work. No man should be placed
in the position where his life, limb or health is
subjected to risk. That's good Americanism"
Mr.. Hughes maintained "Amercansm"
throughout his address to the working men, and
IN his night speeches he further elaborated on the
theme OF America first, America efficient" when
he said
There is not particle Of miIitarism in my
composition, but there is a sturdy determination
if am put in a place of executive responsibility
representing all the American people, to see to
it, and that is my purpose, that Americas rights
are safeguarded and that Americas name in ad-
ministration, in policy, and in execution is hon
ored throughout the world"
In the foregoing words Mr. Hughes came
close to a pledge of intervention in Mexico or
A.
U-boats for all time or both. He could not have
said very much more with safety at such an
early stage in the campaign, but with America
as his motif it is likely that he will say much
more on the subject before November if there
are events in relations with Germany and
Mexico that give him the right opportunity.
In his speech of acceptance Mr.. Hughes de-
livered such a strong attack upon President
Wilson's policy in Mexico that Democrats, in
commenting on the speech, made little effort to
defend Mr.. Wilson. But they asked: "Supposing
that all Mr.. Hughes says about our Mexican pol
icy is true what would he have done had he
been in the White House," To this query Mr.
Hughes gave his reply last night in these words:
"'What is your policy l am asked Well,
what is the Presidents policy? Does any one
know? Has he ever had any policy for that six
months in Mexico? Who knows what it is to-
day, or what the Presidents policy will be three
months from today? No matter what he saws,
you can't tell whether he will stick to it"
A more complete reply is practically certain
for Mr. Hughes apparently has reached the con-
cluson that Mexico is the administrations
weakest point of defense and therefore offers
the best opportunity for successful attack The
New York World, one Of President Wilson's
strongest supporters, has characterized Mr.
Hughes as man without policy and a NOM
inec without issues. But Mr.. Hughes Detroit
addresses reveal that he possesses the courage
not only to reveal his policies but to boldly in
ject new issues at the opportune time to rein
force his policies.