The Washington herald., 1916-10-17
The Two Colonels and the Candidate.

dispatches that Col Roosevelt has said, unequlv-
ocally after denouncing Germany for the invasion
of Belgium, that if he had been President OF the
United States at the time the Lustania was tor
pedoed, this country would have declared war
within twenty-four hours, if he could have con-
trolled the situation and Germany had not dlSa-
vowed the act there is no doubt that he regards
the war, the part of the allies, as defense OF
civilization and humanity, and that Germanys sue
cess would the triumph of Nhilism-mere
force without principle.
1t seems that the Colonel must regard Mr..
Hughes sharing those views, for it is otherwise
inconceivable that, his most conspicuous cham
pon, if not the acknowledged leader of the Re-
publican campaign, he would express such radical
views such momentous question; and 1t is
equally improbable that the Republican candidate
would indorsc his lustrious advocates utterances
as unqualfedly and gratefully as he has done if
he regarded the world-war, so many superficial
and ilI-informed observers regard it,
paroxysm Of homicidal insanity, mere sound
and fury signifying $50 far principles are con-
cerned) nothing
And now comes the other "Colonel into the
arena-the most celebrated political journalist OF
the day-deserting Wilson, whom he helped to
make President, and, pleading and prophesying in
the same breath takes his stand alongside COL
Roosevelt in advocating the election Of Hughes
And what says this other Colonel" the ques-
ton that will not down? He ridcules Wilson's
idea of mental or moral neutrality" in such
crisis of the worlds history and. in the very act
of mailing his hag-"For President, Charles Evans
Hughes"-to the mast OF The North American
Review" and firing broadsides on the Presidents
waste Of words and want of action, he publishes
to the world what he would have said and done in
dealing with Germany.
Does Mr.. Hughes stand for these utterances
Of his Democratic sponsor, as he has stood for his
other champions deliverances the same subject?
In the current North American, Col Harvey
! reviews our relations with Germany as he review
ed them more than year ago:
Following the lead OF our President
(Col Harvey said then and repeats now
we have acted more than justly; while he
was showing, he should have shown,
the utmost consideration, we have proved
our patience, long suffering, sin
cere devotion to peace.
But can go no further along road
that leads nowhere; guide, if
he would keep the faith way,
effective way, must be found to uphold the
dignity and maintain the honor Of the Re-
public. Reasoning has proved futile, plead
ing has been spurned; course is left but
to suit the action to the word"
These last six words COL Harvey prints in
italics and they certainly look warlike, although
nothing more than the severance of diplomatic
relations was meant. Then he continues:
There is no question OF ultmatum;
every American note has contained the
! ultimatum that our rights and the rights
Of all neutrals are inviolabe and must be
recognized in practice"
This is true: Mr.. Lansng's note Of the 10th of
last April large part of which quoted edi-
torially the 18th instant, in the article entitled
"Germany's War on Merchantmen" threatened
the severance Of diplomatic relations not merely
for the violation Of American rights but on broad
er grounds-"in behalf OF humanity and the rights
of neutral nations"
"If, as we foresee," continued COL Harvey, ex-
ercising his gift of prophecy, no adequate re-
sponse shall be forthcoming Immediately to
latest demand Cimmediatcly" in talics), but one
thing will remain to be done"
Then follows the declaration which than
a year ago (n August 1919 the Colonel had ad-
vised President Wilson to make to Germany:
1--WE can no longer humiliate our en-
voys by compelling them to represent in
J other capitals power which defes and
derides their own country. We can no
! longer retain in Berlin an Ambassador
personating a national sovereignty which
IS contemned by the Imperial Government
to which he is accredited We
/ longer recognize IN any way a power
which, by its deliberate, fragrant and
sinful practices, has constituted itself an
outlaw among nations"
Does COL Harvey speak for his candidate?
Are these Mr.. Hughes sentiments? They are un-
doubtedly COL Roosevelts, and il he were not the
magnanimous man he is, he might be envious Of
the eloquence and power with which they are ex-
pressed by Col Harvey. But eloquent and pow
erful they are, they must yield in eloquence
and power to the language used by Mr.. Lansing,
] speaking for President Wilson, which we reprint
ed on the 18th instant, and which were uttered
scarcely six months ago not merely 1--WE repeat
AGAIN. in defense of American rights but 'in be-
half OF humanity and the rights Of neutral ma
tons" as stated by Mr.. Lansing
Where do the hyphenates come in7" What
will the "German-American" voters do? Is it not
clear that both the colonies (and both the candi-
dates) would have all the electors vote as true
Americans? And is not this consummation de-