New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-14
Reiterate Pledge of Loyalty
to America in
War
Warn Congress Old
Methods Are Gone
Will Use the Votes They
Now Have to Obtain Fed
eral Amendment

TASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-There were
both a promise and threat directed
TO members Of Congress in the address
OF Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait TO the
suffrage convention at Polls Theatre
tonight. Copies OF the speech will
be mailed 10 all members OF Congress
before the vote is taken on the Fed
cral amendment.
The promise was the same that suf-
fragists have made at every gathering
they have held since the war began.
the promise OF loyalty 60 the govern
mcat in the rational crisis. The
threat was conveyed in Mrs. Cats
declaration that the women would abol-
ish the method Of suffrage campaigns
in the separate states. and "use the
votes We now have 20 lnish this task
at once"
IF other lands have been brave
enough TO extend suffrage to women in
war time, our own country, the mother
OF democracy. surely will not hesitate"
she said. eve are told that a million
or more American men will be on En-
Iopcan battlehelds ere many months
Fer every man who goes, there is one
loyal woman. and probably more who
would vote TO support to the utmos;
tina, mans cause. The disloyal men
viii he here 20 vote. Suffrage for wom-
e. now as wa~ measure means suf-
frage for the loyal forces. for those
who know what IL means 20 fight to
keep the world safe for democracy
Tricked by Both Parties
"In conclusion, we know, and you
know that VIC know, that IL has been
nc aim OF both dominant parties TO
postpone woman suffrage as long as
POSSIBLE. A few men IN each party have
always fought with US fesrlesSly, but
the party machines have cvaded. avoid
I'd, tricked and buffeted this question
rrom Congress to legislatures. from leg
islatures to political conventions. !
cor feSg 70 YOU that many of us have a
deep and abiding distrust of all exist
ing political parties-they have tricked
rs 50 often and in such INSCRIPTIONS
fashion that our doubts are natural
"Your parties. we also know. have a
distrust and suspicion OF new women
voters. Let us counsel together Won
an suffrage is inevitable; you know II.
The political parties will 20 on; We
know il.
"Shall we then be enemies or
friends? Can party leaders in twelve
states really obtain the loyal support
Of women voters. when those women
know that the same party Is ordering
the defeat of amendments in state7
where campaigns are pending. or de-
laying action in Congress on the Fed
eral amendment?
gentlemen, VIC asksrou to put your
selves In our places. What would you
do? Would you keep on spending your
money and your lives on a slow, labori-
Gus, clumsy state method, or would
sou use the votes you have won 20
complete your campaign on behalf Of
uffrage for all women in the nation ~
The new suffrage policy OF campaign
ing in 1913 against anti-Suffragc mem
bers limited at by Mrs. Gait will come
before the convention for a vote to
morrow. While few Southern women,
headed by Miss Laura Clay, will oppose
IL on the states rights ground, 1t will
undoubtedly be carried.
Franklin X. Lane, and Miss Jean
nette Rankin, member OF Congress
from Montana, besides Mrs. Gait spoke
40 this evenings session. Miss Rankin
spoke on the necessity Of changing the
laws which compel American women
MARRYING foreigners, TO lose their no
tionaAty.