New Britain herald., 1916-02-16

New York, Feb. 16.-In speech Elled with caustic criticism of the Will son administration, especially in re- spect to it's foreign policy, ex-United States Senator Elihu Root, as tempor- ary chairman of the republican state
 convention sounded here last night what was regarded as the keynote of the republican national campaign. He ~Was introduced by Frederick c. Tan ner, chairman of the state committee, and was greeted with an ovation which lasted two and a half minutes.
 Every seat In the convention hall and every inch of standing room was occupied long before the convention opened. The boxes were almost en- tirely reserved for women, one being filled with suffrage leaders.
 Interrupted With Applause.
 ,. The first part of MT. Roots speech, which was devoted to a consideration of the tariff and economic conditions, was received in. comparative silence. When he opened an attack on Presi- dent Wilson's Mexican policy he was repeatedly interrupted with applause, however The first prolonged outburst of cheers came when MT. Root turn ing to European affairs, denounced the presidents policy as one of making threats and failing to make them good. ~ Omits Roosevelt Reference.
 In the prepared speech MT. Root sent out in advance, he referred to . Theodore Roosevelt as one of the men who had believed 1t the duty of the American government to protest at tho violation of Belgiums neutrality by Germany. This reference was l emitted last night. The temporary 1 chairman himself denounced, how i ever the failure of the United States i government to protest against the in- vasion of Belgium.
 "If the public opinion of the world" he said, was to remain silent ou that | neutral upon that, then all talk about peace and justice and international Jaw and the rights of man, the pro- ETess of humanity and the spread of liberty is idle patter-a mere senti- 
 No Clash Over Whitman.
 A move interpreted by the support CTS of Governor Charles S. Whitman, ns intended to prevent any fight on the convention floor for an endorse ment of the state administration was ] after MT. Root ended his speech. Sears moved that all reso1u- lions be referred to the committee on resolutions without debate. The mo- ton was declared adopted by Chair man Root
 Speaker Sweet of the assembI nov ed that the rules of the assembly be adopted as the rules of the conven , tien except that the minority in com mittees be permitted to submit re- ports. This propasal also was car ried. The committees on resolutions, delegates to the national convention and credentials then were named. Dr. Murray Butler was appointed chairman of the committee on reso- lut1ons and Senator George F. Arget- singer of Rochester of the committee l ofs delegates.
 The convention adjourned at 1O:40 o'clock to meet again at II o'clock this morning when State Senator James w. Wadsworth, jr., was chosen l permanent chairman.
 Barnes Has Plans.
 When William Barnes entered the hall before the session opened, he was asked what action he intended to take in the convention.
 T have certain plans, which I will put through he said. You will see what they are when I carry them out"
 No other presidential election since 1864 has been so fraught with conse- quences so vital to national life as the one now approaching, MT. Root sad,