The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-10-12
REPUBLICAN Film
TOO raw TO SHOW
'watchtuI Waiting" Insult to
President SheIved by Ma
tionaI Committee.
IT DRAGGED IN RELIGION
Picture Prepared by Hal Reid Showed
Convent and Sisters Of Charity
In . Story Grotesquely
Revolving.

It was Q remarkable piece of cam
paign news the New York World let
loose few days ago-a story Of dirty
methods to bolster up the political
fortunes Of foundering candidate.
According to the World the, Republic
can National Committee had a null
tiple reel film prepared, entitled
"Watchful Waiting" to be distributed
by the committee and displayed under
the auspices of, or by arrangement
with, the various Republican State
Committees. The Committees even
had prepared circulars advertising the
picture to be sent broadcast over the
country to County Chairmen.
According to this circular, the
'movie" story begins with the be-
trothal of John Martin to Marion Lom-
bard. Martin, United States troop
er, is called to Mexico, where he is
killed by one of Villas followers.
Upon the death Of her betrothed
Marion becomes a Sister of Charity
and Is sent to Mexico to nurse wound
ed soldiers.
''ln the meantime" says the circu-
lar, "the followers of Huerta shoot
down the American flag. Mr.. Wilson
organized fleet Of battleships, which
he sends to Vera Cruz to demand
that Huerta apologize and salute the
American flag, but with orders to the
United States marines to withhold
fire.
Sometime later Villa and his fol.
lowers make night attack on Column
bus. N. NJ. Immediately follows the
Carr1zal fight. villa and his followers
make an attack on the convent and
drag the Sisters into the brush, leav-
Ing them to die. Marion, rather than
meet such fate, kills herself.
"The heads Of both the Protestant
and Catholic churches sent petitions
to Wilson, whose ears are deafened to
their entreaties, and he sleeps peace
fully at his desk.
"views Of both Col. Roosevelt and
Gov. Hughes will be taken in con-
Junction with this picture, but cannot
be described at this writing"
Denounced by Retd's Own Friends.
That film was prepared at a cost
OF $4,000. and its director, Hal Reid,
years ago was sentenced to prison on
q charge Of assault on variety &C.
tress. He served thirteen months in
the saltwater (Minn.) Penitentiary
when he was pardoned and exonerated
Of the charge.
Some Of Mr.. Reid's friends, when
told of his new photoplay, expressed
themselves, in substance, as follows:
Il do not believe that I have ever
listened to anything that shows SO
much real rOttenness in politics as this
idea of the Republican National Com
mittee."
1T is the most disgusting thing l
ever listened to-"
1T constitutes series of deliberate
and studied insults to the Nations
chief executive"
Il think it will go a long way to.
ward beating Mr.. Wilson," said Reid
to reporter for the World. "First. I
show Villa peering through the BUSH
es. Then there is. subtitle reading
why didn't President Wilson stop
the war in Europe by putting an en-
barge on all exports to all European
countries alike, except ON foodstuffSg'
"Next show Vera Cruz. A launch
filed with American sailors is seen
approaching the wharf. Then I show
the wharf and Mexicans, armed, stand.
ing there. They fire on the boat. I
klo In,