The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-08-03
Diplomacy Is Prevention"

Diplomacy Is Prevention"
The chief function of diplomacy Is
prevention; but in this other dipl6.h-
acy failed, doubtless because of its I'M
paired credit and the manifest lack OF
disposition to back words with ac-
tons.
Had this government by the use or
both informal and formal diplomatic
opportunities left no doubt that when
we said strict accountability we
meant precisely what we said, and
that we should unhesitatingly vindi-
cate that position, l am confident that
there would have been no destruction
of American lives by the sinking OF the
LuSitania.
"There we had ample notice; in fact
published notice. Instead of whiting
away our formal statensnts by equiv
ocal conversations, we needed the
straight, direct and decisive represen-
tations which every diplomat and for
eign office would understand. | be
lieve that in this way we should have
been spared the repeated assaults on
American lives. Moreover, Il firm
American policy would have been
strongly supported by our people and
the opportunities for the development
Of bitter feeling would have been vast
ly reduced"
Discussing preparedness, the Repub-
lican candidate said:
1--WE are Il peace loving people, but
we live in world of arms. We have
no thought of aggression, and we de-
sire to pursue our democratic ideals
without the wastes of strife. SO de-
voted are we to these ideals, so in
tent upon our normal development,
that ! do not believe that there is the
slightest danger of milturism in this
country. Adequate preparedness is
not militarism. 1t IS the essential as
surance of security; it is necessary
safeguard of peace.
at is apparent that we are shock
ingly unprepared. There is no room
for controversy on this point since the
object lesson on the Mexican border.
All our available regular troops Qess,
! believe than 100000 are there or in
Mexico, and as these have been or
derel out, that is, we are summon
ing practically ali our movable militia
forces in order to prevent bandit in
curSions In view of the warnings of
the past three years, it is ineXcusable
that we find ourselves in this plight"
I'VE demand adequate national de-
Tense; adequate protection on both
our western and easter coasts. We
demand thoroughness and efficiency in
both arms of the service. 1t seems to
be plain that our regular army is too
small. | believe, further that there
should be not only a reasonable in
crease in the regular army, but that
the first citizens reserve subject to
call should be enlisted as Il federal
army and trained under federal au-
thority.
ut is a great mistake to say that
reSolutenesS in protecting American
rights would have led to war. Rather,
in that course lay the best assurance
of peace. Weakness and indecision
in the maintenance of known rights
are always sources of grave danger ;
they forfeit respect and invite serious
wrongs, which in turn create an uncon-
trolIable popular resentment.
THAT is not the path of national Sc
curity Not only have we host of
resources short of war by which to
enforce our just demands, but we shah
never promote our peace by being
stronger in words than in deeds. We
should not have found it difficult TO
maintain peace, but we should have
maintained peace with honor.
During this critical period the only
danger of war has lain in the weak
course of the administration"
Justice Hughes announced that he
stands for protection of American in
dustries, for an effective system of
rural credits, conservation of natural
resources, an adequate federal work
mems compensation law and the CON
Servation of the just interests Of la