The Washington times., 1916-02-16
HigIllights in Roofs
Attack on Democrats
cans Duty to Bring Democratic Party to
Bar of Public Judgment.

Eiihu Root, in addressing the unofficial
New York State Republican convention
last night. said in part:
at ls our duty as the opposition to
bring the Democratic party to tho bar
Of pubiic Judgment. 20 put II upon It's
defense so far a. we see lust and sub
stantiai grounds TO criticise its conduct.
and ask the voters OF the country to
decide whether that party. organized
as ~ II. represented az Il has been
since Il came into power. has shown IT.
self competent TO govern the country as
Il should be governed. and whether Its
spirit. Its policies. and its performances
are the best that the American people
can do In the way OF popular self-Eov-
eminent. :.
''The war has paraiyzed the peaceful
industries OF all Europe, and has stop
ped that competitive foreign production
which In July, 1914. had already en-
tered American markets to- supersede
OF 1913 The war has thus given TO
American products an immunity from
competition far more effective than any
poseible protective tariff.
But that IL temporary, and when the
war is over. when foreign production
begins again. the American marker.
compared with impoverished Europe.
Will be more than ever before the OBJ,
Ject of desire end effort, and we snall
become the dumping ground OF the
worlo to the destruction OF our own
industries unless that II prevented by
wise and .cOmpetent sovernment'
Results Unfortunate.
"The results of this interference Tin
MexIco) were most unfortunate. II our
Government had sent an armed force
into Mexico to protect American life
and honor we nigh. have been opposed.
but we should have been understood
and respected by the people of Mexico.
because they would have realised that
VIC were acting within our international
rights and performing q nations duty
for the protection OF its own people; ;
but when the President sent an armed
force into Mexico TO determine the Mexi-
resentment and distrust Of motives
among all classes and sections OF the
Mexican people ..
with the occuption OF Vera Cruz the
moral power of the United States In
are now hated for what we did for our
feeble and irresolute failure to protect
the lives and rights OF our citizens. NO
fog is So dlshonored and no citizenship
so little worth the claiming in Mexico
as ours. And that is why we have fall
ed in Mexico
~Mr. Gardner urged preparedness:
Mr.. Lodge urged IL; Mr.. Stimson urged
II; but their argument and ugency were
ascribed to political motives and the
as being nervous and excited.
Warning Not Stilled.
"But the warning. voices would not
be stilled. The opinion that we ought no
longer to remain defenseless became
public opinion. It's expression grew moro
general and insistent. and f,nally the
President. not leading but following. has
shifted his Eround,. has reversed MS
pare against war. God grant that he IL
What sense Of effectiveness in this
effort can we gather from the presence
of Josephus Daniels at the most criucal %
partment"
''The brave words with which we
began the controversy with GERMANY
had produced no effect, because they
were read In the light OF two extrao,dhl. ss ,h
Austrian ambassador. Mr.. Dumoa. 70
his government. that when the Ameri-
can note of February 10 was received ne
asked the Secretary Of State. Mr. BY
an. whether It meant business. and re-
ceived an aswer which satisfied him
that It did not. but was intended for
effect at home in America. 49, ..
"The other event was the strange
and unfortunate declaration OF the
President in a public speech In Phil
adelphia the fourth day after the
sinking of the Lusitania, that a man
may be too proud to Tight Whatever
the Austrian ambassador was in fact
told by the Secretary of State. the