Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-05-19
Says Germans Want To Keep
This Country Weak and
Make Germany Strong
SAYS NO COMPROMISE
POSSIBLE-M in CRISES
But Adds "In Ordinary PoIiti-
cal Matters Compromise
Is Essential

Detroit, Mich, May 19--Colonel TheO-
dore Roosevelt carried a message of
warning to Henry Ford 's bailiwick to-
day. He denounced Ford s pacificism,
raked the Wilson administration for
make believe preparedness and an.
nouneed that only a policy Of staunch
readiness would keep America in the
forefront of the world 3 affairs.
The colonel accused Influential Ger
mans who reflect the views Of the Ger
man government, Of approving the plans
of German-American pacificists in the
United States with the idea of keep
ing America unprepared while maintain
ing Germany s readiness.
Colonel Roosevelt said that, for Ford
personally ne has "not merely friend
illness but in many respects genuine
admiration, " but he went on to classify
the automobile manufacturer with the
Tories of the war of the revolution and
the "copperheads of the sixties"
"'Ford S supporters in the primar-
les, )" he said, seemingly come from
three s-workingmen, who be-
lieve that he represents a desire to do
justice to them; pacificists who think
that a policy of helplessness in the face
of other nations will inspire our nation
al safety; and German-Americans, some
of them in an honest and sincere mood
of protest and others under the influ
ence of that portion of the professional
German-Americans who have permitted
their devotions to Germany finally to
make them antagonistic to the welfare
of the United States. +"
'The ultra-pacifictists have made
their great showing" continued ROose.
welt, principally because there has
been no real and resolute opposition
to them. The administration backed
by majority of congress has taken no
steps for preparedness and has done
nothing efficient to sustain our nation
al rights. 1t has stood for applied
paeificism so far as our needs are con
cerned. 4 Although our gov
ernmental representatives. have been 96
per cent feeble, the ultra -pacificists
have demanded clear 100 per cent of
futility and feebleness.
Has Eye on Chicago.
"In any serious crisis there are al
ways men who try to carry water on
both shoulders. 1t is true that
in ordinary political matters, compro-
mise is essential. But there come great
crises when compromise is impossible
or fatal. This is one of these crises.
"There is no use saying that we will
fit ourselves to defend ourselves a lit.
tle-but not mucn. Such position IS
equivalent to announcing that, if neces-
sary we shall hit but shall not hit soft
ly. The only right principle
is to avoid hitting, if it is possible to
do so but never, under any circumstan-
ces, to hit soft.
"There are two great issues before
us which are inseparably bound togeth-
err. These are the issues Of American
ism and preparedness. AS a people, we
have to decide whether we are to be, in
good faith, people able and ready to
take care of ourselves; or whether we
doubt our national Unity and fear to
prepare, and instead, to trust partly to
a mereiful providence and partly to
elocutionary ability in high places.
Those in power in Washington have TAX.
en- the latter position. "
! The colonel outlined his views on pre-
paredness and the administration 's
course in the German-American subma.
rine controversy and urged the necessity
for competent men at the head Of the
navy, q regular army Of 250,00O men,