Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-04-17

preparedness are the greatest issues,
although he specifically explained that
he recognized the Importance of a pro-
tective tariff as a measure of industrial
preparedness.
Lodge an Acceptable Guide
Senator Lodge, who, it is expected,
will serve on the resolutions commit
tee and who is expected to perform
the major part of the work of drawing
up the platform, is acceptable to both
sides. After a recent conference with
Colonel Roosevelt he advocated a real
standing army, strong navy and some
form of universal service. Senator
Borah holds that the greatest need of
the country is large navy. Senator
Sutherland believes firmly in military
preparedness.
The Republican platform will show
that the weakness of the Mexican
policy encouraged foreign nations in
the belief that it was safe to trife
with the honor of the United States
The point will he made that firm for
elgn policy and real military prepared
ness are the only proper and safe
means of preserving peace.
The argument will he made that the
weak foreign policy of the present ad-
ministration, the vacillating policy in
Mexico and the submarine situation
taken in conjunction with the lack of
lnlnldIN preparedness, nave DrOuRnt
the nation to the verge of war a dozen
times, as has been admitted by Presi-
dent Wilson himself. The President
himself 1t will be pointed out, said in
his western speeches that he never
knew what day would bring the coun-
try into war.
With real preparedness and a firm
policy, this constant danger, IL will be
stated. would be avoided. The rights
of Americans would not be challenged,
because all foreign nations would
realize that the reprisals would come,
not in the form of "sachet scented
notes, but swiftly and surely in the
form of a strong fleet and a real army.
Do-Nothing Administration
Tt will be set forth that the present
administration has had from July,
1914, TO prepare for the military. eco
nomic and industrial dangers created
by the European war, and that no real
preparedness has been accomplished.
Already it is presumed that the action
of the present Congress in all these
branches of preparedness will be in
adequate.
The platform will mako a slashing
attack upon the vacillating Mexican
| policy, including the seizure of and
withdrawal from Vera Cruz and the
invasion of and expected withdrawal
from Mexico in the chase for Villa
more recently.
The antidumping bills, now pending
in Congress likewise will be attacked
on the ground that while they admit
the Industrial danger after the war,
they nevertheless fail to solve the prob
| lem, merely punishing the foreigners
who sell their goods in the country at
prices lower than they charge in their
own markets. whereas the real danger
comes from the ability of the for
| eigner. due to lower wages and lower
standards to manufacture and sell
more cheaply at home and abroad
The general protective tariff clause
will declare for a tariff such as will
equalize the difference in the cost OF
production at home and abroad.
Particular attention will be paid to
the difference in wages at home and
abroad and the difference in Hvinc
conditions and working conditions. II