Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-16
Where Does Hughes Stand?

p EPCRLlCAN apologists for the Repuhli-
can presidential candidate are highly
| onended-in print and in pubic-that any
one should presume to question where their
| leader stands on fundamental American
issues. He has declared that his Ameri-
canism is undiluted." say these naive spirits.
and that ought 20 be enough" But will it
be? We take the liberty OF doubt.
If we may judge by declarations. every
body In this country who can get his views
into the newspapers magazines is an 'up-
diluted American" George Sylvester Vie
reck has given us frequently 10 understand
that his loyalty and patriotic fervor are SUI
perior in every particular TO those of Presi-
dent Wilson. According TO the more or less
esteemed editor OF the Fatherland the Presi-
dent showed himself a bad American when he
protested against German violations of law
and right and forced the Kaiser into com
pliance with the will of civilization When
the President declared Americans should not.
and would not, yield to some new expression
of German frghtfulness. Niereck tore passion
to tatters, but always came around to the
conclusion that the President stood for the
protection of American life only because he
wanted to assist the military plans of Ger
many's enemies.
There are thousands Of other Americans
Of the same stamp. That man enroll him
self, verbally, under the Stars and Stripes
that he declare himself more American than
in public estimation. The people of this ma
ton will insist on concrete test They will
want to know whether he iavors warning his
countrynen from the peaceful merchant ships
that traverse the high seas they will desire
to he informed whether he would place an
embargo on munitions Of war; they will ask
him To say whether he places larceny and
murder on exactly the same moral plane
President Wilson, in this aspect of the
question is important only for what he en-
bodies and typifies. He has stood for law
ana right; he has refused 10 permit the ad-
vantage or even the necessity OF belligeren1s
TO destroy the neutral's established preroga-
tive; he has held the scales OF neutrality with
an even and an impartial hand His conduct
OF the count!y's foreign relations is an issue
in this struggle of parties and OF men. II is,
indeed the great and controlling issue
II it is TO he attacked fairly it must he
attacked in detail Abuse will not answer
whether il come from George Sylvester
Nlereck or Charles Evans Hughes Where
does Justice Hughes stand? For whom does
he sand? He has criticized the Wilson
po!icy, Does he mean that as 20 Germany it
mas been TOO strong TOO weak Wha,
would liz have done lad he been in the presi-
Dental chair?
These are questions that must be answered
II the Republican candidate expects 10 make
Z .ea! appeal 10 the SURFACES Of intelligent
;Lea re must declare himself He can't
hide like Carranza, behind tangled web OF
Fh!skers and Of words.
The country knows wha, the German
american Alliance and the newspapers that
a-s ita mouth pieces desire 10 have done
Justice Hughes has their enthusiastic SUD-
i,or, Is ne entitled to i, or il ne trying 10
sell them q political gold brick: Before he
"'!CS the support OF independent voters
everywhere he Will have 20 say