Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-20
WHAT WOULD HUGHES HAVE DONE?

manded that President Wilson put an
embargo on the sale and shipment Oh
arms and ammunition to the allies,
and the German government protested
against such sale and shipment Pres
| ident Wilson refused the embargo, on
the ground that it would be unneutral
and violative Of international law ana
usage and discriminatory and offen-
sive to friendly powers at war.
| Would Mr.. Hughes have yielded 10
| the demands for an embargo! IL
elected president, will he yield to
similar demand?
| When American ships were attacked
and sunk; when merchant ships OF
belligerents carrying Americans were
sunk, with loss of American lives, MT.
Wilson protested and demanded that
the German government disavow re-
sponsibility therefor, make apology
and reparation and punish the com
manders of submarines. He insisted
that Germany respect neutral rights OF
| America on the seas and protect
American lives and property, in accord
with international law and treaty obi
cations. He warned Germany that
such attacks would be regarded as
unfriendly and notified the German
government that it must cease illegal
submarine warfare These protests
and demands were the subject OF dip
lomatic correspondence and negotla-
lions directed to the establishing OF
responsibility in each case and to the
settlement of the controversy. In each
case when responsibility was estao-
lished, Germany disclaimed the action
of the submarine commander and eX-
pressed regret and offered repatriation
In what point would Mr.. Hughes
save acted differently? Would he nave
abandoned diplomatic methods OF set
Ting the submarine controversy? AT
what point would he have abandoned
! such methods? At what point would
he have broken off friendly relations
with Germany?
When the Lusitania was sunk, Woulo
he have dismissed Ambassador Bern
storff? Would he have dismissed Am
hassador Bernstorff and broken on
friendly relations in any one OF the
cases of illegal submarine attack
| which Mr.. Wilson has settled by dl-
I plomacy?
Mr.. Wilson accepted the assurance
of the German government that Il
would not repeat submarine offenses.
! Would Mr.. Hughes have refuse
these assurances as given in good
faith, and declined to continue dlplo'
matte negotiations?
| Mr.. Wilson refused Germanys otfei
to submit the Lusitania dispute to The
Hague tribunal Would Mr.. Hughes
have accepted this offer of arbitration
Does the support of the German
American Alliance mean that Nj:
Hughes would have accepted Ger
many's policy with regard to subma'
rine warfare in violation of American
rights and international law?
Mr.. Wilson demanded the recall 81
Ambassador Dumba of Austria for &C
tivity in propaganda against the neu'
tralitv of the United States. Would
Mr.. Hughes have acted differently?
Mr.. Wilson demanded the recall Of
the German military and naval at
taches, Boy Ed and Won Papen, for &C
tivity in pro-German propaganda anc
conspiracies. Would Mr.. Hughes have
acted differently?
When the Sussex was sunk, involv'
ing the death OF Americans, Mr.. vii
son sent a practical ultimatum to Ger
many, demanding the cessation of ar
illegal submarine warfare.
What would Mr.. Hughes have done
Would he have failed to send the ulti
n, atur,, pr would ha Eaya capt a differ
ent ultimatum or would he have brOk
en- off relations with Germany? Would
he have submitted to the German as
saults on merchant ships, regardless
of the safety of Americans?
Mr.. Wilson has protested against
encroachment on American rights ant
violation of international law by the
British and the. French governments
He has made these offenses the sub
ject of diplomatic negotiations. Would
Mr.. Hughes have acted differently
and. how?
We have cited sufficient examples
of Mr.. Wilson's foreign policy durina
the war to illustrate the issue thai
was made by the pro-German leaders
in this country against these acts Of
Mr.. Wilson's. 1t is made in favor Of
Mr.. Hughes. Mr. Hughes must define
himself with specific terms with re
gard to this issue.
The country is waiting for Mr.
Hughes to say What | would have
done with the Germans; what l woult
have done with the Mexicans" W.
know what the Colonel would have
done. We know what Wilson has
done.