New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-30

service to hesitating voters.
ELLERY sEDGWICK.
Boston, Mass, Oct. %, 1916.
The Tribune takes pleasure in an
swering Mr.. Sedgwick's questions, 1t
being understood that it speaks only
for itself, its views of what Mr..
Hughes stands for being based
solely on the latter's public utter
arces:
|. Under existing conditions does Mr..
Hughes believe in active Intervention
in Mexico?
Mr.. Hughes has said with the ut
NEST emphasis that he believes in
protecting the lives and property of
American citizens at home, on the
high seas and in foreign countries.
The Republican platform, on which
Mr.. Hughes stands, said regarding
Mexico: 1--WE promise to our citizens
on and near the border, and to those
an Merico, wherever they may be
found, adequate and absolute pro-
lection in their lives, liberty and
property" The Democratic plat
form Of 1912, on which Mr.. Wilson
was elected, said: Every American
citizen residing or having property
in any foreign country as entitled to
and must receive the full protection
Of the United States government
both for himself and his property"
This latter declaration has now
been repudiated by Mr.. Wilson, who
las set up-so far as Mexico is con-
cerned-the contrary doctrine that
Americans go into foreign country
at their own risk. That they, as
adventures" and trouble makers
there, are not entitled to the pro-
lection of our government, and that
no protection ought to be given to
them which may interfere in any
way with the successful progress of
the Mexican revolution. This doc
trine has been frankly outlined in
MIR. Wilson's speech accepting re-
nomination from the Democratic
party and in DR.. Charles w. Eliot's
recent article in "The Atlantic
Monthly" for October.
Mr.. Hughes is certainly pledged
to go as far as it is necessary to go
to protect the lives and property Of
Americans in Mexico. We have had
"active Intervention" in Mexico for
the last three years and half. Mr..
Wilson has interviewed diplomatical-
ly, and also by force, for purposes of
his own Though not for the protec-
ton of the lives and property Of
Americans). He has twice made
war on Mexico. He is now conduct
ing war against Mexico, according to
the official ruling of the Judge Advo-
cate General Of the Army. The pres
ent policy of the United States is one
of very "active intervention" Mr..
Hughes may be obliged TO continue
it. But in so far as he continues it
he will do so not under the empty
pretext Of Serving humanity" but
with the entirely legitimate purpose
of protecting American interests and
maintaining American rights.
2. r. Great Britain continues her
present policy Of blacklisting Of Amer
lean merchants and putting illegal re-
strictions on American commerce, will
Mr.. Hughes attempt to coerce her by
placing an embargo on munitions for
the Allies?
The present Administration has
protested very strongly against Brit
ish violations of the rights of neu-
trails engaged in commerce. 1t has
protested specifically and emphati-
cally against the British blacklist.
But it has secured so far practically
no concessions from the British gov
eminent, for the reason, evidently,
that the British government does not
believe that Mr.. Wilson means what
he says.
Mr.. Hughes is known as a man
who does mean what he says. How
far he would have to 90, if elected,
to secure a modification of the an
noying and oppressive methods to
which Great Britain has resorted, it
is manifestly impossible to guess.
Mr.. Hughes has stated his purpose.
1t would be manifestly unfair to ask
him TO commit himself in advance to
the details of its enforcement.
3. What is Mr.. Hughes's programme
with reference to the Adamson law?
Mr.. Hughes has aptly said; "You
cannot repeal surrender" The
Adamson law goes into effect on JAN
uary /, 1917, and expires by its own
limitations some time between Au-
gust and November /, 1917. 1t
would have run three months before
a Republican Congress could be as
sembled in extra session to repeal it..