Arizona republican., 1916-10-28
HORNETS NEST
 ABOUT THE EARS
 1T: SECY. BAKER
Special to The Republican,


 NEW YORK, Oct. 27.-The follow ing statement was issued by the re- publican national committee at repuo- hcan headquarters here this evening:
 'The campaign of humbug. pretense and falsehood which has been waged by the Wilson administration and its political managers reached its climax last night with the issuance at the war department by Mir. Baker, secre- tary of war. of his astounding state ment charging that some unnamed and unidentified persons were plotting a new Mexican outbreak before cleo tion day. for the purpose of turning the tide of sentiment against Wilson. Immediately after issuing this charge Mir Baker left Washington and was not available for questions concerning ii until today.
 This Is the same Baker who ten days ago in Jersey City likened the heroes of '76 and Valley Forge to the bandits of Villa and CarranZa Hav- ing at various times denied that speech, despite the testimony of stem ograpEers who reported it. it was to be expected ttat he would deny or modify his war department statement as soon as he found that it was not accomplishing what he had hoped for it. But denial. in fact. was made For him and without waiting for his return to his office. IL came from his cabinet colleague. Secretary Lam sing. who protested that politics was not thought of in the matter and Mir Baker on his return to Washington today. corrohorated Mir Lansing by saving that there Was not the slight est political significance in issuing his statement of last night.
 This statement, and the comment on it of administration officials today throw white light upon the unscrup- ulous political course of the Wilson administration and its managers in this campaign. As issued. Mir. Bak. CTS statement said the war depart ment had definite information. con- firmed from other sources. that enc mics of the administrations policy toward Mexico had arranged for a spectacular attack on either the Amer ican forces or some part of the Amer- ican border before election day for the purpose quoted. only one interpreta- ton of that statement was possible, and trat was that Mir Baker was charging the political opponents of the Wilson administration with plot rinC active treason. And it is incred- ihle that Mir Baker had any other rurUose in wind than that when he issued the statement.
 Such a charge would he directly ;n hne with utterances of Woodrow Wil- son fimself Repeatedly the Dresi- Gcrt has shown himself to be fond If this kind Of denunciation. He en- icvs making charges in broad. gen. e~al terms which specify nothing and no one. Especially with regard 10 the opposition 10 his policy toward Mexico and his handling of the Mevican n '-0blom hos Mir. Wilson resor.ed to this sort of charges. Only a few d0vs ago. at Shadow Lawn. he saiG. T dn not fird that anybody eise's counsel is taken in respect of the policy that tbs country should pursue wi r re- gard to Mexico excert those who have hitherto acted as the counsellors uf the vested interests in Mexico. Not once has Mir Wilson or any of his suhordinates ventured to make my of these charges specifir or to identify anv of the men against whom the 7 might have heon aimed. Not once has he or any of his henchmen come into the open. But on several occasions Do or they have talFed thus v"guely about tfe 'disioyslty' of unnamed un- specified and unidentified individuals or Hroun or ndlNluualS. on every Oc- rasion when it has been sought tc evoke explicit information. thev have taken refuge in the cowardly O0scur- itv af anOnymity.
 "MT. Baker was nlaving the same ramo-tha game of his chief-wher he issued the statement of last night The charge he was making was ot treason. IT MT. Baker or anvbodv in inc administration has informatio~ justifvlng such q charge. 1t is his sworn duty fo law it instantly before the proper law officials and proceed fa hale iha traitors before the bar oi justice Tf Nr. Baker does not Go that he Is violating the oath he took tC support the constitution and the law' Of the United States.
 The time has come to call hall upon this reckless disregard for. act and the truth which permits such un supported and unspecific charges o treason and other. high crimes to b' handled about SO loosely and unch9l- lenged by high officials of the gov errment To quote the language o