The Washington herald., 1917-04-28
How the Editors Are Viewing
America and the World War
Abaicatea.


The Democratic leaders in the Hous,
OF Representatives have addicted Re
sponsibility for constructive action in ths
face Of the gravest crisis in. the nations
history passes. by consent Of these lead.
ers of Democracy. to the Republicans
1t is situation challenging the at.
tention not Of Democrats alone but OF
the country at large without regard tc
partisanship. II signifies the virtual, II
momentary. collapse of a great party
charged with the responsibility OF gov.
ernment at a time when firm handling
Of affairs is required for the national
safety.
Kitchin, of North Carolina, titula,
leader of the House majority by vir-
tue of the discredited priority rule, has
deserted his responsibility. He Is ar
impeachment to progress. His vision Is
about as broad as an imaginary line
Dent, of Alabama, priority rule head
of the House Committee on Military
affairs. belongs with Kitchin as a
skulker. He dishonors the State of Un-
derwood, is a discredit to Congress and
the nation.
But the most eminent deserter of all Il
Champ Clark. Speaker, paeifist and mis-.
representative.
Clark. hwho was re-elscted Speaker
three weeks ago as a tribute to his
leadership In previous sessions, now de-
liberately chooses to lay down that lead
ership. He aligns himself with the OBJ
Istructionists. Instead of helping in the
war crisis, he attempts to raise new OBJ
stacles.
The Speaker knows, as every intelligent
man and woman in America knows, that
to attempt to raise an adequate army tt
meet the needs OF the United States In
this war by the system of volunteer en-
listments is folly. He knows, as Ameri'
cans everywhere know. that his present
apparent enthusiasm for the volunteer
method is merely a cloak for his foolish
pacifism. Clark. like Kitchin and Cor
don, wanted the United States to keer
out of the war even at the expense OF
national honor. And now that we are
in the war in spite of their un-American
attitude, they want to see us take as
small a part as possible in the conflict
So Democratic leadership in the pres
ent House melts away at the first real
test of its quality Americans who have
been wont TO argue that the Democracy
though skillful in protest, was incap-
able Of conducting. a government, find
new material for the claim in the House
of Representatives.
II we are to have universal military
training and universal liability TO service
from the present Congress-the plan
which the military vision of the whole
world approves-it will come largely as
a Republican gift. The situation is one
which Democratic Representatives. look
ing forward to reelection next year
may well ponder in seriousness.
From every section of the country
comes the demand that Senators and
Representatives shall stand by the ad'
ninistratlon in the present crisis. There
is no partisanship behind the call, nc
attempt to dragoon opinion one way or
the other. II is simply an expression
of confidence in President who has
met the emergency of war in manner
10 challenge the admiration Of the world
and a demand that Congress shall dc
its share
Universal Liability.
buffalo Evening NewS)
Vigorous opposition to the selective
draft developed in the House yesterday.
Sneaker Clark and Senators Reed,
Varaman and Tillman voiced their dis
approval Of the administration measure
in no uncertain terms.
While the volunteer system is breaking
down before their eyes these worthy men
are demanding that we walt until 1t has
been given a thorough trial. before
obligatory service is demanded.
The volunteer service has failed. Yet
these men seem blind to the fact They
have evidently learned no lesson from
the past, shut their eyes to present Iacts
and lack future vision
They demand that the defense Of the
nation shall wait while the certain is
once more demonstrated.
We are hopeful to think that the at
titude of these obstrucdonists does not
represent the wisdom OF Congress.
We believe that the measure will lass
and that W. shall thus have an lnstru-
ment that will enable US to keep faith
with our allies and those whom we have
virtually invited to join US against Prus-
sianism.
The issue of universal liability is
Fundamental to the safety of the republic.
1t is a principle that upholds the flag.
So far from being a step away from
democracy it is a forward step toward it.
And II the nation dare not demand this
scrvice-if it must beg and wheedle to
obtain it by the volunteer system-thcn
democracy has failed in this country.
Universal liability for service Is the
demand democracy makes; tits the right
1t asks for the privileges of citizenship.
Not a Moment to Lose.
(PhiladsIphia Ledgerl
The submarine menace grows mightier.
England's shipping losses for the last
week are greater than those Of any pre-
vious seven-day period since ruthlessness
began. The British themselves are ad-