The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-03-16

oponucuce oi the state department.
especially since Mr.. Lansing took
charge, has been characterized by &C.
curate learning and skillful statement
OF specific American rights.
Three Errors In European Policy.
A study of the administrations pol
ICY toward Europe since July, 1914.
reveals three fundamental errors: First,
the lack OF foresight to make timely
provision for backing up American di-
plomacy By actual or assured military
and naval force; second, the forfeit
ture of the worlds respect for our as
sertfon Of rights by pursuing the policy
OF making threats and failing to make
them good; third, loss of the moral
forces Of the civilized world through
failure to truly interpret to the world
the spirit of the American democracy
IN It's attitude toward the terrible
events which accompanied the early
stages of the war.
First, as to power:
When the war in Europe began, free.
peaceable little Switzerland instantly
modified upon her frontier great
army of trained citizen soldiers. Stur-
dy little Holland did the same, and
both have kept their territory and their
independence inviolate
| Great, peaceable America was farther
removed from the conflict, but her
trade and her citizens travelled on ev-
cry sea. Ordinary knowledge of Eu-
ropean affairs made it plain that the
war was begun not by accident, but
with purpose which would not soon be
relinquished. Ordinary knowledge of
military events made it plain from the
moment when the tide of German inva-
sion turned from the battle of the
Marine that the conflict was certain to
be long and desperate. Ordinary knowl-
| edge of history-of our own history
during the Napoleonic wars-made it
plain that in that conflict neutral rights
would be worthless unless powerfully
maintained
The Democratic government at Wash
ngton did not see it. Others saw it,
and their opinions found voice. Mr..
Gardner urged 1t, Mr.. Lodge urged it.
Mr.. Stimson urged it, Mr.. Roosevelt
urged it, but their argument and ur-
gency were ascribed to political mo-
tves, and the president described them
with sheer as nervous and excited.
Wilson Has Shifted Ground.
| But the warning voices would not be
stilled. The opinion that we ought no
longer to remain defenseless became
public opinion. Its expression grew
more general and insistent. ana finally
the president, not leading, but follow
Ing, has shifted his ground. has revers-
ed his position and asks the country to
prepare against war. God grant that
he be not too late. But the Democrat
ic party has not shifted its ground. A
large part of its members in congress
are endeavortng now to sidetrack the
movement for national preparedness.
to middle it by amendment and turn
it into channels which will produce the
least possible result in the increase of
national power of defense What
sense of effectiveness in this effort can
we gather from the presence Of Jose
plus Daniels at the most critical post
Of all-the head Of the navy depart
ment-when we see that where
preparation has been possible 1t has
not been made, when We see that CON
structlon Of warships already author
lied has not been pressed and in some
cases after long delay has not even
been begun?
If an increase of our country's power
to defend itself against aggression is
authorized by the present congress it
must be largely through Republican
votes, because all the traditions and
convictions of that party are for ma
tional power and duty and honor
AS to the policy of threatening words
without deeds:
When Germany gave notice of her
i purpose to sink merchant vessels on
the high seas without safeguarding the
lives of innocent passengers our gov
eminent Oh the 10th of February one
year ago Informed Germany in unmis-
taxable terms that in attacking and
sinking vessels of the United States
and in destroying the lives of American
citizens lawfully travelling upon mer
chant vessels of other countries she
would act at her peril. They pledged
the power and courage of America,
with her hundred million people and
her vast wealth, to the protection of
her citizens, as during all her history
through the days of her youth and
weakness she had protected them.
On the 2Sth of March the passenger
steamer Falaba was torpedoed by
German submarine and an American
citizen was killed, but nothing was
done. On the 2Sth of April the Amer
lean vessel Gushing was attacked and
crippled by German aeroplane. On
the LIST of May the American vessel
Gulfiight was torpedoed and sunk by
German submarine and two or more
Americans were killed. yet nothing was
done. On the It'll Of May the Lusita-
MIA was torpedoed and sunk by Ger
man submarine and mere than 100
Americans and LOO other noncom-
batants were drowned. The very thing
which our government had warned
Germany she must not do, Germany
did Of set purpose and in the most con
temptuous and shocking way. Then,
when all America was stirred to the
depths, our government addressed an
/ 70 70 %ol