New-York tribune., 1916-02-07
Leaders See Danger
in Support OF Ger
an=AmeriCanS.
SAY 1T WOULD
SPELL DEFEAT
Believe America First
Issue Would Override
Everything Else.
By STANLEY FROST.

Washington. Feb. 6. The support
of the German Americans is the great
est danger that threatens the Repub-
licans in the coming campaign. II the
country once gets the idea that these
voters think they can gain anything by
supporting the Republican nominee, he
might as we'll quit running. | see the
President is trying his best TO win
their favor and that some Of the Re
publicans arc also playing that game.
hope he wins and they lose
This ummary Of he situation was
made to-day by a leading Senator, one
Of the most influential Republican poll
ticians in the country. 1t voices a
feeling which has been growing among
the most far-siehted Of the politicians
here. and which will have an increas-
ing influence as the campaign ad-
yances.
The solidty OF the German senti-
ment was one Of the striking factors
i'm public opinion observed by those
who accompanied the President on MS
recent trip. While German-Americans
hold very different views as to their
divided duty between their old and
new homes. and while they also differ
as 10 the extent to which they should
carry their sympathy for the Father
land. they are practically unanimous
in their political attitude. They resent
equally the actions of the administra-
tion in the Lustania case, in regard
to the export of munitions, and the
Presidents severe structures on divid-
cd loyalty in his message to Congress.
And they agree in yearning for re-
vengc.
This situation has led many Of the
short-sighted political workers IN both
parties to figure the German vote as a
weakness for Wilson and strength for
his opponent. Among those who ac-
cept this theory. apparently, is the
President, to Judge by his recent ef-
forts to conciliate the German vote
by appointments, by his Withdrawal Of
his charges of hyphenism IN his Mil
waukce speech and vigorous defence of
his course in his St. Louis address, and
bv the increasing severity OF his at
titude towarl the Allies. But the
Judgment of the veterans Of many cam
paigns does not agree with this.
Against the American Spirit.
THE American spirit is against any
political lineup which IS based on
any other thing thar political ideas,
said the politician already quoted. "A
union for political purposes Of any
non-political class. whether mem
hers of a particular Church or oppo-
neuts Of one. Of labor bodies frater-
nal societies, or any other crowd with
peculiar interests differing from those
of the mass OF the citizens along non
political lines. always has received,
and always Will receive. Singing re
buke. II is as sure as fate. SO the
hest way 10 defeat the Republican
nominee next fall will be TO insure
hiIn the support Of the German-Amer-
leans"
The temper Of the people. as OBJ
served on the Wilson tour and found
i'm other indications here and else
where. proves the truth of this state
mont. There is a vigorous underlying
feeling that is very widespread that
all other political questions must be
dropned If an attempt Is made TO use
this country for the benefit Of any
thing whatsoever but ITS own people
There are many Americans to-day who
ara for Wilson for no other reason
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