Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1916-08-24
QUESTIONS PUT HUGHES

OG behalf u a committee Of dis
tiugu.shed American writer's, the
executive group Of which met re-
gently in New York, George Crecl
gave out the following open letter;
To the Hon. Charles T.. Hughes:
The professional writer's who
sign this letter have small interest
10 parties, but q very deep interest
in Democracy. IL Is cur hope.
through this voluntary association,
10 assist in the promotion Of honest,
educational discussion 10 order that
fundamental issues may not be de-.
cided in prejudice and ignorance.
Mr.. Wilson's beliefs have oeep
Expressed u iaw and ii declared
policies. file has made an open
record by which be may be judged.
Wise choice is not possible unless
you yourself make equally specific
statement Of purposes and ccnvie-
tions
Without intent 10 offend. We
feel justified in charging that In no
single public utterance have Won
filed a boniRed bin Of particulars.
nor have you offered single CON
structive suggestion.
"Generalities are without value.
Blanket criticism i worthless.
What we desire TO know, what il Il
fair that the electorate should know,
are the exact details OF yoar dis
agreement with President Wilson.
What has he done that sou weuld
lot have done, and what has he fail
ed 60 do that you would have done
or propose to dor Honesty and
patriotism demand that you pun
yourself upon record il such man.
ner as to permit people 70 Judge you
as they are now able 70 Judge Presi-
dent Wilson For example
u Would you have filed instant
protest against che invasion Of Bel.
gium and backed up that protest
with the United States Navy
-. Il is arrant nonsense 10 talk
about action that would have pre-.
vented the Lusilania tragedy. The
vague advertisement did not appear
until shortly beforl the hour Of sail
ing. The occurrence was one Of
those that civilization had made ths
world regard an incredible. Tn,
only honest question Is this: Would
| you have made the disaster the sub
Of diplomatic negotiations or wonlt
you have broken relations Will
Germany at once?
-. Would you have urged npoI
Congress an embargo upon the ship
ment Of munitions to the AlIiesy
"a. Would you urge universal
compulsory military SERVICE
\ s. You are frank il stating tina
Huerta's morals were of no concern
to America. Does this mean tina
yon would have recognized Hnertai
! 70. AS matters stand today
would you be ia favor Of interven
ing in Mexicof
! -. Does your attack upon tn.
/ Wilson Shipping bin mean that yot
are in favor Of ship subsidiesg
/ Is. You speak enthusiastieaii,
Of the rights Of the worker Doe,
| this imply that you endorse th,
Clayton Antitrust law and tn,
fSeamen's bill? or will you urg,
their repeals
9 What are your specific com
plants against the Federal Reserv,
! laws
10. AS Governor Of New Yorl
you opposed the income tax amend
ments Does this antagonism per
sist9 Do you or do you not beIiev,
ia paying for preparedness out Of
tax on incomes, inherilances ant
munitions2
I'VE agree with you that it Is
critical period, by far two critical
indeed, for candidates to talk il
terms Of Office seeking rather thar
Ia the simple, earnest language o
defnitg Americanism BaItlmor
i Sun Of Aug 1, 1916
Il Esigned by Irwin Cobb and Il
/ otherH.