Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-31
".Anyihing to Beat wilson,"

. EPUBLlCAN tactics in this closing week
" OF the campaign the aspect of
desperation. Not for i long time has there
been injected into contest for the presi-
: dency SO much bitterness. so much wild decla-
nation. SO much abuse--or SO much common
or garden lying. The events of the last few
days have made II evident the Republican
fighters will stop at nothing. Anything to
beat Wilson!" still epitomizes their moral
code.
That remarkable story TO which Senator
Lodge, OF Massach usetts. lent his Endorsement
although 1t shifts in detail from day to day.
III substance conveys charge that President
wilson added postscript to his note on the
Lusitanfa sinking, i'll which he informed Ger
many he did not mean what he had said 1t
is further alleged that various members of
the Cabinet heard of the Presidents ignoble
conduct and threatened TO resign.
Reitcraton by Senator Lodge, or ANYBODY
else, cannot convince the country, or any
part OF it, of the truth OF this eleventh-hour
accusation. 1t was instantly denied by mem
bers OF the Cabinet and then when Senator
Lodge quoted an alleged interview with Henry
breckenridge as his authority, the former
Assistant Secretary of War as promptly added
his denial and branded the man who had so
misrcpresentcd him as a ''scoundrel"
Yesterday MIR. Breckenridge ampliied his
statements on the subject by telegraphing
DR.. Charles FL Bailey, the person who claimed
to have had the interview with him as fol-
lows: Your letter to Grafton Gushing is
tumble of false statements, and you are an
unconscionable wretch for uttering it,"
These are strong words. it is true but they
appear to he justified.
At the same time the Lodge charges we're
receiving publicity there appeared in the news
papers Il statement imputed to Luis Cabrera
mead OF the Mexican commission in this
country. in which various accusations we're
made against tho American government.
This statement. marked Official" was given
TO the press by IN employee of the Mexican
News Bureau, without consultation with the
head Of the bureau or with the Mexican am
Observation-Disclosures in Washington Mr.
Cabrera has repndatcd the statement as
false and unauthorized.
And so it goes Meantime Candidate
Hughes issues Il declaration, i'm which he
carefully refrains from saying what he will
ITO i'll the event he becomes President Tx,
does say hc Is an old-style protectionist and
taVor.i the protection Of American labor bv
tarin schedules OF the approved Republican
brand. lie is for peace, he tells u.s. and
expects to keep the peace by "a firm and
courteous insstence on the rights OF our
citizens at home and abroad" Whether he
would be more pcremptory than Wilson has
been with Germany, whether lie would
declare an embargo against the shipments of
munitions to the allies, Mr.. Hughes does not
say. His mind scorns such matters Of detail
Anything to beat Wlson!" but each man
to his own trade. The 100 per cent candi-
date still thinks the trick can be turned with
wind and chaif, while others use stronger
stun. But both plans will fail
ii is to be hoped that woman who has been
made her husbands 'jaier." will not follow
the Jail system but will put him to work. If
he isn't strong enough for road work, let