Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-04-27
NEW INFLUENCES HELP SHAPE OUR NATIONAL


with other opposed to preparedness helped to swell
Fords strength. The Nebraska Germans said to be
mostly republicans and they united Ford because of his
peace propaganda and his opposition to preparedness When
you to anayze this situation 1t affords striking
mentay way which the selection Of presidential
candidate of great party and the shaping Of Of the
mount issues the national campaign may be affected by
influences foreign to spirit Of nationality If not an ac-
tual menace to Americansm.
In addition to the German vote for Ford have tho
spectacle of democratic leader in the person of Bryan help
ing to shape the presidential campaign for republicans Mr.
Bryan made than 100 speeches in his campaign sup
port OF prohibition and against preparedness and is stated
that republicans democrats listened to his words
The of the republicans thus converted the pacst
eory went to Ford while the democratic peace advocates
on prohibition and his loss Fords gain While he gained
Strength IN one direction the one time peerless leader fall
he coveted.
These considerations help emphasize the important
the whole crusade for thorough preparedness for ma
ton Transcript shows that Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska
opposed the Senate proposition to increase the limit OF the
House to Hitchcock sought to amend the measure
to reduce the authorization to 100000 but the motion
the little army were Hitchcock and Norris of Nebraska
ronna of North Dakota La Toilette Of Wisconsin, Myers OF
North Carolina Robinson of Arkansas Stone of Missouri
Swanson of Virginia and Vardaman of Mississippi
glance at the map of the United States will show that
this pacst vote represented almost clean through
the Mississippi valley from the Canadian line to the Gulf OF
Minis do happen be in this list but these two states
men have been the advocates of OF the
voted against meaning sham rather than real prepared
ness Twelve States are represented in this voting OF four
der preferred break with the administration than to face
their constituents with the record of having done their best
to equip the United States with an adequate army.
Another striking feature in the situation is that the Ger
manAmerican vote is strong the Middle West 1t is safe
to assume that when the time comes to select
candidates the German organization, which has
been making it's influence felt in connection with the issue O.
preparedness will take pronounced stand for Ford or som
other equally coloress individual for the presidency
Sl another significant consideration in connection with
the fact that not only the Bryan influence potent in that
section but most OF the votes in the Senate for little arm
fs fro" which supported "
The Germans in the States indicated who doized Roos
welt four ago to-day vigorously denourcng him
Indeed of the stumbling blocks to the Roosevelt candi
sssipp valley which most strongly supported him four
To-day pacifsm is ascendent in those States tho
lost much of the following which four years ago militant
for him domestic issue and to-day has repudated the
lie statements.
In this connection readily understand that the
dency may very largely hinge the results Of his coming
speaking tour in the Middle West the region have been
fort to stir to enthusiasm the people of the section named
over the question of Whether this can be done
is question of very practical politics.
To this end Mr. Roosevelt has accepted invitations to
speak in cities. He has decided comply
address in Kansas city, This will be an occasion we'll tteS
inspire in connection with the question of national de-
II enthusiasm at
preparedness opposed to the dominant sentiment o.
pacism it will be amid historical and patriotic settings k"
these.
incidentally, this tour will bring Mr. Roosevelt into
the thick of the fight to arouse the country just the
who control the premnares for the republican national
venton are making ready for the gathering of the repub
clans The political generals of the party will be
erng the best pursue and the colonel will
spcuousy in the public that they could sight
him. if they would
The supporters of Mr. Roosevelt satisfied that with
nm on the stump in the Middle West such overwhelming
for his nomination will be aroused that there
be no doubt of the result in the convention Judging fron
the returns in the presidential primaries in different States
in that section however will require considerable stirring
to arouse enthusiasm over Mr. Rooseve
preparedness but he can do it, if anybody can.
Mr. Roosevets meeting in Kansas City will be of nom
partisan character and is said he will to the people on
straghou Amercanism and the need of larger army and
navy to uphold the honor and dignity of the party Pres
dent Wilson his recent tour greeted by vast and en-
thsiastc throng in Kansas City, and republicans and pro
gressves said to be seeking to gathering to out
rival it in every way.
In the meantime we are told that preparations are on
foot to give Roosevelt great ovation in Chicago MARCHING
clubs being organized and tentative are
being made his accommodation in his quarters made
in he