Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-20
Challenges the Republicans.

why did not the able senator from
New York offer resolution for such
action when he was member of this
body?- inquired Senator Lewis. "Or,
as the majority leader. Senator Kern.
not some senator on the minority side
now, IL they accept the doctrines of
Senator Root, offer such a resolution"
Senator Thomas interrupted to sug-
gest that Senator Root, he had been
told, with tears running down his
ington while a member of the Senate,
had approved the Presidents course.
Il suppose that would be termed an
emotional Endorsement" remarked Sem
ator Thomas.
Senator Lewis assured the Senate that
he had the highest respect for Mr..
Roots ability, having gone SO far at
one time as to apply for a clerkship
in his law Office, but which offer of
services was declined with excellent
wisdom"
What ] protest against is that such
capacity should be devoted to such ig-
noble uses,' explained Senator Lewis.
Error on the Part Of Wisdom"
Senator Lewis declared he would not
pardon liberty of indisputable and de-
liberate error on the part of wisdom"
referring to Mr. Roots declaration that
the President was weak and unworthy
of the further confidence of the people
The New Workers. Indictment of the
party was that it failed to enter into
conflict with Mexico and that it failed
to force conflict or war with Germany.
Il wish to attract the attention of
the country to the eminent New
Workers. Inconsistencies" Senator Lewis
on he in
now are the same as they hove been
for more than four years. These con-
ditions prevailed when the New Yorker
was in this body as spokesman for his
party. When, in 1911. an attempt was
made on the part of the democracy to
remedy the situation. what does his
tory record as the position of Senator
Root? When Senator Stone introduced
a resolution which sought power from
the Senate to direct President Taft to
act. Senator Root condemned the eff
fort- of the democracy to do the very
thing which he now says should be
done.
Speak ing to that resolution, Senator
Root expressed his entire dissent and
said that it did not follow that We
should secure redress by threat of force
on the part of a great and powerful
nation against a small and weaker ma
tion.
The senator from New York decla ed
such a course would be a step back
ward in the path of civilization. If it
is just to arraign democrats now for
for the senator from New York to OPP
pose such a policy then? Why this
hypocrisy of craftsmanship"
Mr.. Roots Action as Senator.
Senator Lewis also called attention
to the fact that Senator Root opposed
and spoke against the action of the
Senate in authorizing the President to
use the armed forces of the nation to
compel Gen. Huerta to salute the flag at
Vera Cruz.
who is behind the masters of the
republican party now; whom do they
serve by making war upon Germany"
Senator Lewis continued. Has a new
source of a campaign fund been found?
Who are the republican leaders COW
ertly cultivating and from whom they
expect so much if they can make war
against Germany without regard to its
effect on America?
And If they do succeed. then how
are they to proceed? Are they to call
the country into war when they are
now indicting their country as unablbe
to conduct war?
"They confess that after sixteen
wears of power and at a cost of over
$500, 100000 spent under the guise of
national defense, there is no army, no
navy. no aviation corps. no fortifica-
tons: and this is the condition in which
these eminent republican leaders left the
rs it possible they can invite this
country into war when it is without
the wherewithal to defend itself for
twenty-fou hours? Will they send
armless men against an equipped foe?
They would make war against a for
eirn power. Where are the ships that
are to carry our men against this
power.
.pid not Senator Root himself on this
floor participate in the filibuster to kill
the bill which would have provided
ships that might have carried our army
against an enemy?
: "But there is no war. Our cities are
not sacked. Our fields are not withered.
Our land is at peace. Women can still
hlass God and behold America tho only