Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-16

/ its honor, should stand power, mani
fest and available, warning the whole
world that it would cost too much to
press aggression too far. The demo-
cratic government at Washington did
not see 1t. Others saw it and their
opinions found voice Mr. Gardner
urged it; Mr.. Lodge urged it; Mr..
Stlmson urged it; Mr., Roosevelt urged
it: but their argument and urgency
were ascriled to political motives and
the president described them with q
sheer rs being nervous and excited.
Force of Public Opinion.
But tho warning voices would not
DO stilled. The opinion that We ought
no longer to remain defcnseless be-
came public opinion. It's expression
grew more general and insstent, and
finally the president, not leading, but
following, has shifted his ground, has
reversed his position, and asks the
country to prepare against war God
grant that he be not too late. But the
democratic party has not shifted its
r. NN''Ns - go 6N ERf ~ Va fNe bANAitHNi -
in congress are endcaVoring now to
'sldctrack the movement FOR national
preparedness: to middle it by amend
ment and turn it into channels which
will produce the least possible result
in the increase of national power and
defense. What sense Of effectiveness
in this effort can WE gather from the
presence of Josephus Daniels at the
most critical post OF all---the head Of
the navy department; when We see
that where preparation has been pos
sible it has not been made; when We
see that construction Of warshps al
ready authorized has not been pressed,
mot even been begun.
IF an increase in our country's
power to defend itself against agrees
sion is authorized by the present con-
gress it must be largely through re-
publican votes because the represent
,atvea of the republican party in
Washington stand for the country no
matter who is president; and all the
traditions and convictions of that par
ty are for national power and duty
and honor"
Discussing his assertion of the adj
ministration's second error Of policy
making threats and failing to make
them good"-Mr Root alluded to the
American strict accountability" warn
ms 10 Germany and reviewed the cir
Ieumstances surrounding the attacks
on the Falaba, Cushing, Gulflight, Lu-
staDia and other ships, The later cor
Irespondcnce Of the state department
was conducted with dignity but il
has been futile" Mr. Root said, con-
tinuing
THE brave words which began the
controversy had produced no effect,
because they were read in the light Of
two extraordinary events one was
the report Of the Austrian amhassa-
dor, Mr. Dumba, TO his government,
that when the American note of Feb
rpary 10 was received, 10 asked the
secretary Of state. Mr.. Bryan. whether
1t meant business, and received an
answer which satisfied him that II did
not, but was intended Tor effect at
home in America.
The other event was the strange
and unfortunate declaration Of the
president in d public speech in Phila-
delphia the fourth day after the sink
ing OF the Lusitania that a man may
be too proud to fight Whatever the
Austrian ambassador was in fact told
by the secretary of state, the impress
sion which he reported was supported
BY the events which followed What
ever the president did mean, his dec
laration was accepted the world over
as presenting the attitude Of the
American government towards the
protection of the life and liberty OF
American citizens in the exercise of
their Just rights, and throughout thu
world the phrase too proud to fight
became the hyword Of dcrislon and
contempt for the govetnment Of the
l nited states. Later, in another thea.
ter of war-the Mediterranean-Au
tria. and perhaps Turkey, also. re.
sumed the practice The Ancona and
then the Persia were DESTROYED and
more Americans were killed. Why
should they not resume the practice g
They had learned to believe that, no
matter how shocked the American
government might be. its resolution
would eNpend itself i'm words. They
had learned that il was safe 10 kin
Americans-and the world believed
with them. our diplomacy has lost
rs authority and influence. because We
have been brave in words and irreso-
lute in action"
Case of Belgium.
Discussing his third criticism
loss of moral forces Of the CIVILIZED
world through the failure to truly in.
terpret TO the world the spirit of The
American democracy''-Mr. Root NJ
iudcd DO The violation Of Belsiuta's