The Detroit times., 1916-08-16
With Republicans Minus
Real Issue, Presidential
Campaign Will Be ListleSS

nee. had put inefficient Democrats
In ONCE, and these inefficient Dem.
ocrsts had not been smart enough
TO prevent crises from occurring.
Among the conspicuous examples
OF this substitution o, Democratic
inefficiency for Republican en-.
cheney, cited by Candidate Hughes.
was the French smbassa dorship. Ac.
cording TO Hughes, Herrick, in tho
very midst OF his efficient labors a,
Paris, was ruthlessly dragged away
from his job TO make room for
Democrat
Just what crisis this particular
act by Wilson preciptated, Hughes
did not say. But there is no doubt
that there was considerable popular
reaction TO the Herrick charge. The
reaction was short lived. however.
as II developed that Herrick was
kept on the job in Paris by Presi-
dent Wilson for months after Her.
rick had asked TO be relieved. He
finally was relieved and Sharp put
Oh the job only after Herrick bad
virtually insisted upon II.
This Herrick incident is not re.
ferred to in this correspondence for
the purpose Of making a point for
or against either Wilson or Hughes.
II Is cited simply TO emphasize
the point that the Republicans are
mighty shy OF issues. For certainly
no one will seriously contend that
this Is an issue, worthy OF the
name, in national campaign
AS the campaign opens, II looks
as though II was going 10 take some
such form as this The Republic.
ans will try TO make the voters feel
the full sense OF their shame be.
cause OF the loss OF national honor
and will promise TO get il all back
II Hughes is elected
The Democrats will say that our
| national honor Is just as unsullied
"a it ever was, in fact. little more
so. and what Is OF equal Importance
the United States IL an oasis of
peace and plenty in world desert
OF war, starvation and approaching
bankruptcy.
have II from men high in the
party command. that il Is 20 be no
! part OF Democratic strategy to make
excuses for the Wilson foreign pol.
! icy.
on the contrary it is 10 be ag.
gressivcly exploited a. the big &C
Complishment OF the administration.
The campaign will not be well
under way until September
It has been President Wilson's de.
sire TO wait until after the adjourn.
ment OF congress before formally
| accepting his nomination.
Considerable pressure is being
brought upon him by the party man.
ayers 10 have him fix date early
in September for the notification
ceremonies, irrespective of whether
! or not congress has adjourned
They argue that even then the
Republicans will have been actively
campaigning for a month and that
strong as the Democrats believe
their position to be. il is not I'M.
pregnable Beyond all, the most
astute OF the Democratic managers
are afraid tina, II the Republicans
get TOO much uf a start. they Will
create the impression throughout
the country that the Democrats are
altogether on the defensive, that
virtually they will be
President Wilson has his own
ideas about putting political expedi-
ency above oficial duty, and il Ia
not likely that he is going to run
very fast for reelection while there
is important presidential work to be
| done
Hughes, Who is man Of the
same type Judging by his record in
public office, has the advantage OF
the president in this matter, as he
has nothing else TO think about but
his campaign.
Unless he entirely changes his
plans. the president will not stump
the country az he did four years
ago. He holds that the dignity OF
the presidential once will not per.
NIT OF the president hustling for
votes for reelection Between Sept,
and election. the president will
probably make half dozen import.
ant speeches in various sections of
the country in which he will pre-.
sent the case OF Democracy and
himself.