The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1916-08-17
PERTINENT QUERIES
PUT TO HUGHES
Would You Have Sent Navy to
Defend Belgium He is
Asked By Thirty
Seven Writers in
Letter.

Letter.
New York, Aug. 5.-Thirty-
seven we'll known editors of and
writer's for American magazines
and Sunday newspapers met at
the Hotel Biltmore and gave out
the following letter:
"To the Honorable Charles E..
Hughes: The professional writ
ers who sign this letter have
small interest in parties, but a
very deep interest in democracy.
1t is our hope, through this volun-
tary association, to assist in the
promotion of honest, educational
discussion in order that funda-
mental issues may not be decided
in prejudice and ignorance.
"Mr. Wilson's beliefs have been
expressed in law and in declared
policies He has made an open
record by which he may be
i judged. Wise choice is not pos
sible unless you yourself make
equally specific statement Of pur-
poses and convictions.
Without intent to offend, we
feel justified in charging that in
no single public utterance have
you filed a bona fide bill Of par
ticulars nor have you offered a
single constructive suggestion.
Personalities are without val
lie. Blanket criticism is worth
less. What we desire to know,
what is fair that the electorate
should know are the exact details
of your disagreement with Presi-
dent Wilson. What has he done
that you would not have done,
and what has he failed to do that
you would have done or will do?
Honesty and patriotism demand
that you put yourself upon rec
ord in such manner as to permit
people to judge you as they are
now able to judge President Will
son. For example:
"Would you have filed instant
protest against the invasion OF
Belgium and backed up that pro-
test with the United States navy?
cit is arrant nonsense to talk
about action that would have pre-
vented the Lusitania tragedy. The
vague advertisement did not APP
pear until shortly before the hour
of sailing. The occurrence was
one of those things that civiliza-
ton has made the world regard
as incredible. The only honest
question to this: Would you have
made the disaster the subject of
diplomatic negotiations or would
you have broken relations with
Germany at once?
"Would you have urged upon
congress an embargo upon the
shipment of munitions to the al
lies?
"Would you urge universal
compulsory military service?
"You are frank in stating that
Hu6rta IS morals were Of no con-
Germ to America. Does this mean
that you would have recognized
Huertag
GAS matters stand today, would
you be in favor Of intervening in
Mexico?
"Does your attack upon the
Wilson shipping bill mean that
you,are in favor Of ship subsidies?
"You speak enthusiastically Of
the fights of the worker. Does
this imply that you indorse the
Clayton antitrust law and the
seamen's bill? Or will you urge
their repeal?
"What. are your specific COM
plants against the federal reserve
law?
GAS governor of New York you
opposed the income tax amend
ment. Does this antagonism per-
sist? Do you or do you not be-
lieve in paying for preparedness
out of tax on incomes, inheri-
tances and munitions?
"We agree with you that it is
a critical period, by far too criti-
cal, indeed, for candidates to talk
in terms Of office-seeking rather
than in the simple, earnest Ian
guage Of definite AmericaniSm.
Respectfully,
Samuel Hopkins Adams, Ray
Stannard Baker, Ellis Parker But
Ter, L. Ames Brown, Dante Bar
ton, Irwin S. Cobb, Wadsworth
Nomr T 0fHoro CoSpraVo