Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-16
inhuman brutes with whom it mad
common cause"
Errors in European Policy.


Errors in European Policy.
Mr.. Root turned to the administra-
tion's European policy. declaring that
some of the people were dissatisfied
for specific reasons, some with vague
impression that our diplomacy had
been inadequate" At this point in his
address the speaker enumerated what
he declared were the administrations
three fundamental errors" AS to the
first Of these-"lack of foresight to
make timely provision for backing up
American diplomacy by actual or as
sured military and naval force"-Mr.
Root pointed to immediate mobiliza-
ton by Switzerland and Holland, and
continued:
, Ordinary knowledge of European
affairs made it plain that the war was
begun. not by accident, but with pur-
pushed. Ordinary knowledge of mill
tary events made it plain. from the
moment when the tide of German in
vasion turned from the battle or the
Marine. that the conflict was certain
to be long and desperate. Ordinary
knowledge of history-of our own MS
tory during the Napoleonic wars-made
it plain that in that connlct neutral
rights would be worthless unless pow
erfully maintained. All the world had
perate belligerent resolve to conquer.
the law of nations and the law of hui
manity interpose no effective barriers
for the protection of neutral rlshls.
duct of affairs demanded that such
steps should be taken that behind the
peaceable assertion of our country
rights. it's Independence and its honor.
should stand power, manifest and await
able, warning the whole world that 1t
-n1rld press agrees
sion too far. The democratic govern
ment at Washington did not see 1t:
Others saw 1t. and their opinions found
voice. Mr.. Gardner urged it: Mr.. Lodge
urged it: Mr. Stimson urged it: Mr..
Roosevelt urged it: but their argu-
ment and urgency were ascribed to po-
litical motives. and the President de-
scribed them with a sheer rs being
nervous and excited.
r. Shift on Preparedness.
But the warning voices would not be
stilled. The opinion that we ought no
longer to remain defenscless became
public opinion. Its expression grew
more general and insistent. and finally
the President, not leading, but follow
ing. has shifted his ground. has re-
versed his position. and asks the coun-
try to prepare against war. God grant
that he be not too late. But the demo-
cratic party has not shifted it's ground.
A large part of its members in Con-
gress are endeavoring now to side
track the movement for national pre-
paredness; to muddle it by amendment
and turn it into channels which will
produce the least possible result in
the increase of national power and de-
Tense. What sense of effectiveness in
this effort can we gather from the
presence of Josephus Daniels at the
most critical post of al1-the head of
the Navy Department.; when we see
that where preparation has been pos
sble it has not been made: when we
see that construction of warships al
ready authorized has not been pressed,
and in some cases after long delay
has not even been begun?
IF an increase of our country's pow
er to defend itself against aggression
is authorized by the present Congress
it must be largely through republican
votes. because the representatives of
the republican party in Washington
stand for the country, no matter who