New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-31
The Enemy Within Our Gates

Mayor Mitchell has done signal service
in exposing the connection Of Judge Hylan,
Tanmapys candidate for Mayor, with
the German-organized, German-subsidized
anti-American propaganda here. With
that exposure are explained many things
why Hearst, himself no mean German
propaganda, insisted on the nomination
of this obscure Brooklyn politician; why
Murphy, seeking votes in blocks, was will
ing to angle with him for the German and
seditionist support; why the "Staats-Zei-
tung." recipient of German cash to save 1t
from bankruptcy, is frantically endeavor-
inc TO elect him by the disloyalist votes it
can swing.
The revelation dwarfs all previous dis
closures affecting this discredited candi-
date. His questionable business record he
might live down; his dense ignorance on
the bench, which brought official censure
from Mayor Gaynor and legislative in
vestigating committee, he might in time
overcome. But the candidate who prates
Of his patriotism while his name appears
ON the letterhead of an association num-
bering among its prominent members
Cohalan. OTeary, Dewey, Weismann, Won
Mach-a general clearinghouse for anti
American organizations promoted by
confessed German spy now in jail, its
formation approved by Dernburg and Boy
Ed-that candidate so conspicuously places
himself in opposition to the interests Of his
land and his city that it is unthinkable he
should receive the support Of any right
minded, loyal citizen.
As this campaign has progressed events
have shown with startling clearness the
lamentable inability to comprehend the sit
uation manifested by those who protest
that loyalty is not an issue" Loyalty
became an issue the moment Hearst desig-
mated a candidate whom Tammany nomi-
mated. Loyalty became an issue the mo-
ment Morris Hillquit began his pro-Ger-
man, anti-war appeals for election. 10y
atty was emphasized as an issue when the
"Staats-Zeitung came out for Hylan.
With last nights revelations that emphasis
has been increased tenfold. Disloyalists
have shaped the course of the campaign.
They have forced the American Mayor OF
this city, which is yet American, to uphold
the Federal government on the stump as
he has upheld it in Office. Hearst, Hylan
and the Hohenzollerns" was, and remains
the epitome of the campaign.
Maintenance of good government is G
matter affecting every dweller in New
York. Keeping the city out OF the hands
Of Tanlrnany is an endeavor which SHOULD
enlist the strength Of every straight think
ing voter. But keeping the Mayors office
out Of the hands Of pro-German propagan
dists, keeping the city government, with
its vast machinery Of the Police Depart
rncnt, which has so Loyalty worked with the
Federal government in rounding up anti
Americans, out Of the hands of seditionist'
and enemies within, is even more impor
tant in this hour Of the nations crisis.
Mayor Mitchell has proved his worth or
both counts. No single item in his splen-
did record Of four years service as Mayor
is more important TO the public than hi.
unmasking of Judge Hylan as the associate
Of disloyalists. Those who are not fol
America now are against America. There
is, there can be- no middle ground. There
IS no place in Office, there should be nc
place in. the length and breadth Of thi:
20 the enemy. The United States is en-.
gagged in a life-and-death struggle with the
most dangerous autocracy this world ha:
ever known. American men are in thC
front-line trenches. American citizens are
straining every nerve TO feed and clothC
them, to send them ammunition and CUR,
20 protect us. Americans are making sac
rifces to lend the government money to
fght the Hun.
Work of the organization of which Judge
Hylan appears as an honorary vice
chairman" could result only in hamstring-
ing Americas efforts, in multiplying the
sacrifices of Americas citizens, in costing