Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-01-07

senate But several do dissent from the seha-
tor 5 views
For instance, former Congressman James W.
Bryan, writing in the Navy Yard American says
This newspaper does not agree with Senator
Jones in the position he takes. We believe it to
be the duty Of America to assert and be prepared
to maintain the Monroe doctrine as a cornerstone
of the peace of the future. TO assert
proposition without power to carry it ont is to
invite disaster" Likewise the Chehalis Bee
Nugget, probably as stalwart Republican paper
rs there is in the state, advances the opinion that
Senator Jones will come whole lot nearer vote
ing the wishes of the people of this state if he will
vote for some reasonable preparedness than by
following the course he apparently indicates he
will in his letter.
1.-THE big world war is long way from over
now," this newspaper adds. eve don't expect
to be drawn into it and we hope that Uncle Sam
won't become involved in any way. But we would
be lot of chumps to do nothing at this time in the
way of at least building few cyclone cellars for
our own protection in case the tornado might turn
later and come our way
Senator Jones wants the people of the state
to inform him as to how to stand on the question,
but don t do like he has done and make your an
swer indefinite as he has DONE" comments the
Davenport Tribune. 4 think So doesn't ex-
press nearly as much as yes or no, and such an
answer isn't permitted in court when evidence is
being taken. While the senator is endeavoring to
get the views of the people, he evades some OF the
questions himself, evidently reserving his opinion
until he hears from his constituents Anyhow he
has not fully made up his mind on about half the
questions he puts up to the people and evidently
wants help in deciding
Many of the newspapers that commented on the
senator's letter confne their remarks to urging
their readers to write their views. Only one that
we have seen takes the senator up on each point,
gives an opposing answer and tells why, and that
is the Snohomish Tribune but it must be said that
this editor was a member of the business mems
training camp at American Lake last summer. He
sums up his comment in these words: "You say
I'VE are excited over preparedness WE'LL
senator, we cant see that you are particularly ex
cited about it. Neither is Ford nor Bryan. But
Washington was, and Jefferson was, and Grant
was. Wilson is, Roosevelt is, Taft is. In his mes
sages to congress Washington repeatedly urged
preparedness. Jefferson wanted all university
and college students trained. Long after the Civil
war Grant urged preparedness.
eve know you wanted the United States to
bak down on the Lusitania incident and said
Americans ought to stay off such boats SO dld
Bryan. But the American people as whole
backed up the president They are not for peace
at any price, No, decidedly you are not excited
about preparedness, but as friend and admirer
Of yours, we sincerely hope you do get excited
about it.
The senator doubtless will learn within the next
few days where the people of this state stand on
the preparedness ISSUE That is what he said was
the purpose of his letter, and it it produces the
desired result he doubtless will be satisfied