New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-03
He will keep US out Of Wilson
The Issues

Mr.. Hughes has been unjustly at
tackled for making his campaign
campaign Of criticism. It is the
business Of an opposition party to
oppose-to expose the blunders and
failures of the party administering
the government.
Mr.. Wilson is seeking reelection
on his own record. His canvass has
been essentially a personal one. The
voters are asked to indorse what he
has done and what he stands for by
continuing him in Office. 1t has been
perfectly legitimate and proper-in
fact, absolutely necessary-for Mr..
Hughes to make a presentation OF
the case against Mr.. Wilson the
main feature of his campaign.
But in developing his destructive
criticism of the Presidents record
the Republican candidate has neces-
sarily committed himself to a con-
structive programme. 1t might be
more accurate to call it recon-
structive programme, since 1t in
wolves return to sound American
traditions abandoned by Mr.. Wilson.
Mr.. Hughes stands to-day for two
policies gravely affecting the future
of the United States. One has to do
with the conduct of our foreign rela-
tons. The other has to do with the
preservation Of our economic and in
dustrial system. On these two issues
there is a radical and vital antago-
nism between Mr.. Hughes and Mr..
Wilson. the former seeking to build
up and the latter TO tear down.
Mr.. Wilson's foreign policy has
been a tumble Of inconsistencies.
But out Of all its contradictions in
practice one clear and definite pur-
pose stands out. The President has
sought in dealing with foreign nations
TO discard a principle which is as old
as our history. He has endeavored to
commit US to the theory that our
government owes citizens who vent
ure into foreign jurisdictions no obi
cation to protect them in their lives
and property. Rather than take the
risks involved in protecting Ameri-
cans who engage in business in a
foreign country or make an invest
ment there, Mr.. Wilson would have
the United States declare in advance
to such citizens that when they cross
its borders they become automat-
ically persons without a country
with no rights the denial or viola
ton of which could cause our gov
eminent the least concern.
In our dealings with Mexico this
theory has been badly, even boast
fully, avowed. Mr.. Wilson has said
that no attempt TO protect American
lives and property In Mexico ought
10 be made if such action threatened
TO interfere in any way with the tri-
umphant progress of the Mexican
revolution. American interests, In
his view, must be subordinated In
Mexico TO the interests of the ban
dts, ex-bandits and near-bandits
who have been reducing that coun-
try TO a condition Of semi-starvatior
and anarchy.
II this degrading theory is &C.
cepted by the voters the United
States will soon cease 10 be nation
in the true sense Of the word. II
will no longer command the respect
OF other countries. II will lose its
own respect. II Americans in Mex.
leo cannot expect protection for life
and property, then an American
passport anywhere becomes a worth
less scrap Of paper. The United
States a few years ago denounced q
treaty Of commerce with Russia be
cause Russia refused 10 extend equa
privileges 10 all American citizen:
crossing her boundaries. The Car:
government declined TO cease dis
eliminating against Americans Of
Jewish descent and we refused Il
remain a party TO such discrimina
ion. According TO the Wilson the
Dry. we should now apologize TO Rus
STA for having questioned her righ'
10 treat Americans entering her ter
ritory in any manner she might
hink fit.
In Mexico there has been no dis
elimination against any class o.
Americans. Representatives of al
classes have been murdered; th'
property Of all classes has been de
,troyed or confscated. Still oul
government refuses 70 lift hand
Il cannot any longer, if it is logical
.ift a hand TO secure an enforcement
Of American rights in any other for
eign country. II must stand or fall
everywhere on the base and COW
ardly doctrine that we owe no duty
Of any kind 10 our citizens wher
they go abroad. AS DR.. Charles W