Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-23
Do Not Intend That Repub'
leans, Shall Put Them on
III. ~ Defensive.
HOW WOULD you PERFORM,
Mr.. HUGHES? THEY QUERY
Foreign and Domestic Policies of
Administration Burden of
Catechism.

1t developed yesterday that Presi-
dent-Wflson will make vigorous per-
sonal responses to the attacks upon
his administration which the demo-
cratic campaign managers believe will
begin toward the end of the present
month, starting with the formal ac-
ceptance Of the republican nomination
by Mr.. Hughes. Vance Mccormick
chairman of the democratic national
committee, spent several hours in the
city yesterday. talking to the Presi-
dent and to other leaders on matters
said to be INSIDE politics." and fol-
lowing Mr.. Mccormick's departure
for Harrisburg. Pa. announcement was
made that. the President will not al
low himself to be placed on the de-
fensive in the coming campaign.
The truth of the matter is that all
from the democratic camp and that
the fight will be carried directly into
the enemy's country. The democrats
have seen enough Of the Hughes plans
going to be tea party; they suspect
the republicans will put up a rip
roaring fight. and for that reason
they are planning some keen questions
TO ask OF the republican CdnQlQdle
. Ready to Meet Criticism.
Criticism of the foreign and domestic
policies Of the President will be a. fea-
ture of the republican campaign. the
democrats here learn. Democrats Of
high authority said last night that
when the criticism starts the republi-
cans will receive prompt re1oinders.
The Previdents attitude, 1t was said
further, will be that the policies Of his
administration have worked for the
best interests of the country. and that
ment OF the country: Democratic
achievements in legislation, diplomacy
and commercial negotiations will be
shown to the people, bill of specif-
the public. At the same time the dem
ocrats propose to throw down a chal
lenge to the republicans who are at
lacking the administration. The ques-
ton to be asked is What would you
have done had you been in power?"
list Of questions. ringing the charges
on the general inquiry, will be put up to
Mr.. Hughes at every step OF the way.
and. in fact, 1t appears that this con-
slant questioning will be one of the fea-
lures Of the campaign.
Approved Democratic catechism.
The following tatechism. approved of
yesterday, is to be the democratic count
er to the republican attacks:
DO you think that the President went
too far or not far enough in the sub
marine controversy with Germany?
IF you had been President, would you
have used statesmanship and the usual
diplomatic channels to preserve peace. or
would you have gone to war with Ger
many?
would you have gone to war with
Mexico? II you had been President
would you have declared war? Would
you declare war now? Would you have
called out the National Guard?
DO you feel that any hyphenated con-
spiracy worked to bring about the defeat
of Roosevelt in the republican convention
and to bring about your own nomination?
II a hyphenated conspiracy did bring
about Roosevelt's defeat, how do you feel
about the exercise and extent of such in
fluence in national politics?
As to Democratic Legislation.
Would you repeal the federal trade
commission act. the federal reserve sys-.
TEN and the rural credits and good roads
bill? Are you for or against the tariff
Chamber Of Commerce. representing the
Would you ignore the findings Of this
tariff commission and repeal the act Gre
ating It?
why didn't the republican party reform
the currency and give the nation a sound
banking system when it was in power?
why didn't the republican party estab-
fish rural credit system for the benefit
of the farmers?
or hasn't it? Is the foreign trade
greater than ever before. or isn't it?
Will peace munitions for the recon-
struction process in Europe replace war
munitions. or won't they?
Queries on Preparedness"
What was the condition of the army
and navy when Roosevelt left the
White House. after seven years of
service?
and navy when Taft left the White
House after four years of service?
How many ships were in the navy
or building at the end of the Roose-
welt administration, and at the end of
the Taft administration?
How many men were in the army?
What kind Of reserve was there? How
many guns and how much powder were
in reserve? How much Industrial
preparation was at hand? Were wages
higher or lower then than now? Was
labor as we'll satisfied?
What do you think of the manner
In which the administration carried
the country through the financial crisis
that followed the outbreak of the Eu-
ropean war;"